The focus keyword ‘Cypriot students’ comes into play as 18 individuals, comprising 14 students and two teachers, prepare to return home after a challenging experience in Tanzania. These students had travelled to Tanzania for a volunteering programme but found themselves caught amidst political unrest following recent elections.
On Monday, the group was successfully transferred from Kilwa, a coastal town in Tanzania, to Zanzibar. This move was confirmed by Theodoros Gotsis, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, who stated that the students would then fly back via Dubai, arriving in Cyprus on Wednesday.
The repatriation efforts have been a coordinated effort involving the Foreign Ministry, the High Commissioner in Nairobi, and the National Crisis Management Centre, all working closely with the EU delegation based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city.
Political tensions escalated in Tanzania after elections were held last Wednesday, which were widely condemned as unfair by the opposition and many young voters. Reports from international media outlets indicate that at least 700 lives have been lost due to the unrest that followed.
Despite being approximately 300 km away from the protests in Dar es Salaam, the students and their accompanying adults felt the impact of the turmoil. The group included two supervisors and two Greek volunteers, who were there to support the students during their stay.
The situation prompted urgent discussions and actions to ensure the safe return of the Cypriot students, reflecting the broader implications of political unrest on foreign nationals. As they prepare to board their flights, the students are expected to arrive home, relieved and safe after their ordeal.
