Following the launch of the Russia attacks in Ukraine on Thursday morning, various people are concerned about the safety of Rwandans stuck in the European country. Majority of Rwandans in the country are students. In an interview with The New Times, Fred Mupenzi, the head of the Rwandan community in Ukraine said that they have between 80 to 90 Rwandans in that country, and among them, only five are not students. Speaking about the situation in terms of security, he said that so far, the Russian military has launched attacks in five places and the capital of that country. Meanwhile, there is no means of transport operating for people to flee the affected areas. Mupenzi explained that at least 31 Rwandans are caught up in the affected areas, adding that they are worried due to the worsening situation. However, he said they are in contact with the Rwandan Embassy in Germany to help them during this situation. Commenting on this issue, Igor Cesar, the Rwandan ambassador in Germany who is also accredited to Ukraine, said that they are working on an evacuation plan. “We are working on an evacuation plan but the situation is not going well, the borders are closed so we are in the meantime assessing the situation and trying to maintain contact with our citizens especially those in affected areas, he said. Cesar also urged people to avoid speculation, saying that everything is being done to ensure the safe evacuation of Rwandan citizens. “We are coordinating with our citizens there to see if they are in harm and how we can get them out of it,” he said. He further emphasized that they gathered all necessary information and the next step is to see how they can evacuate them once the border situation allows. We are looking at what is logistically possible, he added. The New Times has learned that there is a plan to evacuate them to Poland in the meantime though there is no official confirmation about it. In an interview, Sandrine Uwimbabazi Maziyateke, the Director of Rwanda Community Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that they are monitoring the situation adding that everyone is accounted for. Maziyateke called for calm adding that once there is any development, they will give an update. She assured Rwandans that no one would be left in harms way and everything was being done to evacuate everyone.
