Group calls on Canada to create sponsor program for family fleeing war-torn Sudan

A Canadian trapped in the middle of an escalating war in Sudan blamed his home government on Saturday for his harrowing three-day journey out of the war-torn country, saying Ottawa has failed to provide stranded residents with a clear evacuation plan.

A Canadian trapped in the middle of an escalating war in Sudan blamed his home government on Saturday for his harrowing three-day journey out of the war-torn country, saying Ottawa has failed to provide stranded residents with a clear evacuation plan.

Hisham Mohamed, 49, was due to fly home to Welland, Ont., on April 18 but saw his flight cancelled amid growing violence between Sudan's army and the rival paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces.

He decided to make the dangerous trek out of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum after facing the prospect of running out of food and water.

Mohamed said he signed up with the Global Affairs registry of Canadian citizens the same day the fighting started one week ago, but didn't hear anything further. After calling Global Affairs Canada daily for three or four days, he was only advised to seek shelter.

"After the fourth call with them, I decided they're not gonna do anything," Mohamed said in a telephone interview from the border between Sudan and Egypt. "That's when I made my decision to make a move and try to get out of Khartoum and eventually out of Sudan."

The ride to Egypt is typically seven hours but took Mohamed three days. He said the journey involved buses, pickup trucks and small vehicles, as well as an overnight stay in one location.

"Whatever you get, you just take it," Mohamed said. "But thank God, safely I made it."