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The organization for the evacuation of nationals of African countries is underway in Ukraine. Senegal has around 70 nationals there, mainly students. Although they are not numerous, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ambassador of Senegal to Ukraine and Poland, Amadou Dabo, is mobilized. A crisis unit has been set up and Senegalese residing in Ukraine are beginning to arrive in Poland.
The Senegalese authorities are responding to their nationals in Ukraine. For two days, Amadou Dabo, Senegal’s ambassador to Ukraine and Poland, has been welcoming them to Warsaw.
To succeed in crossing, the wait can be long: At the border, explains Amadou Dabo, there is a massive turnout from everyone : Ukrainians and foreigners. Of course, the difficulties are not lacking. But according to the information I have with my representatives on the spot, we have about ten Senegalese who were able to cross, whereas there were around 25 at the border.. The waiting time given the affluence is long. Some have spent the night. Some even waited two days. »
We jostled from left to right. And they said hurtful words sometimes
This is the case of Taigau. The student lives in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. He had to cross the whole country before reaching the border posts. He recounts his journey: We walked more than 27 kilometers to the border. It was cold. We were afraid. We spent almost two and a half days there. Apart from my documents, I had nothing at all. I had my documents and my diplomas. In times of war, everyone is disturbed. Ranks were not respected. We jostled from left to right. And they said hurtful words sometimes. I don’t want to use the word “racism”. It is something that weighs too much. On the other hand, I can underline the Polish hospitality which asks you if you are okay, if you are not hurt. They give you something to cover yourself, to eat and take care of you. They treat us the same as the Ukrainians they came to host too. »
Foreigners from countries outside the European Union can stay 15 days on Polish soil, the time to go to other destinations.
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