Gujarat professor stranded in Ebola-hit DRC returns home after diplomatic push
Synopsis
A Bhuj professor spent nearly a month trapped in Goma after Rwanda sealed its DRC border over Ebola fears — disrupting his return flight and cutting off his exit route. It took formal representations to the MEA, daily embassy follow-ups, and Gujarat’s NSGF coordinating across two countries before Dr Amin Sama finally got clearance to fly home on 18 June.
Key Takeaways
Dr Amin Sama , Assistant Professor at Shri R.
Lalan College, Bhuj , was stranded in Goma, DRC for nearly a month due to Ebola-related border closures.
Rwanda shut its border with the DRC two days after Dr Sama entered Goma on 15 May , blocking his return to Kigali.
His scheduled return to India on 31 May was disrupted; he sought help from Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister’s office .
Formal diplomatic representations were sent on 10 June to the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions covering Rwanda and the DRC.
Travel clearance was granted on 17 June ; Dr Sama is scheduled to return to India on 18 June 2025 .
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi credited coordinated efforts of NSGF , MEA, and Indian diplomatic missions for the resolution.
Dr Amin Sama, an Assistant Professor at Shri R. R. Lalan College in Bhuj, Kutch, is set to return to India on 18 June after being stranded for nearly a month in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following Ebola-related border closures. His return was secured through coordinated intervention by the Gujarat Government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian diplomatic missions in the region.
How He Got Stranded
Dr Sama had travelled to Rwanda on 15 May via Kigali International Airport and subsequently entered Goma legally to visit a childhood friend, with plans to continue to Tanzania. Two days after his arrival, the Rwandan government shut its border with the DRC citing Ebola-related precautionary measures, leaving him unable to return to Kigali.
His originally scheduled return to India on 31 May was consequently disrupted. Stranded without a viable exit route, Dr Sama reached out to the office of Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister for help.
The Diplomatic Intervention
Following his appeal, the Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation (NSGF) — operating under the NRI division of the state's General Administration Department — took up the matter urgently. On 10 June, formal representations were sent to authorities in New Delhi as well as Indian missions handling affairs related to Rwanda and the DRC.
Officials maintained daily communication with the embassies to explore safe exit options and ensure documentation and permissions were processed without delay. NSGF officials also remained in regular contact with Dr Sama throughout, providing guidance and updates on his situation.
Dr Sama's Health Status and Cooperation
Dr Sama informed authorities that he had not visited any Ebola-affected zone, was fully asymptomatic, and expressed willingness to undergo all required medical screening, quarantine procedures, and immigration checks. His cooperation reportedly helped expedite the clearance process.
By 16 June, the Indian Embassy in Rwanda was confirmed to be actively pursuing the matter, with procedural clearances progressing. On Wednesday, 17 June, Dr Sama was granted all necessary transit and travel permissions for his onward journey.
What the Officials Said
Expressing relief after receiving clearance, Dr Sama said: “I have just received permission for travel. I am deeply grateful for the support and assistance provided throughout the process. The help during this difficult time has been extremely important to me, and I will always remember your efforts and generosity with gratitude.”
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to citizens in distress abroad. “Our commitment is to extend possible assistance to Gujaratis and Indian citizens who find themselves in distress anywhere in the world. Through coordinated efforts of the Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation, the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian diplomatic missions, we were able to provide timely assistance and support to a citizen stranded in a challenging international situation,” he said.
The state government noted that the case underscores its coordinated mechanism for assisting residents abroad through NSGF and central diplomatic channels, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
What Happens Next
Dr Sama is scheduled to arrive safely in India on 18 June. He is expected to undergo standard immigration and health screening procedures upon return, consistent with protocols for travellers from Ebola-affected regions. The case is likely to reinforce calls for faster diplomatic response frameworks for Indian nationals caught in sudden international health emergencies.
Point of View
But the timeline suggests the system responds reactively rather than proactively. As Indian professionals increasingly travel to Sub-Saharan Africa for personal and academic reasons, a faster-trigger diplomatic alert protocol could prevent similar situations from stretching into month-long crises.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Amin Sama and why was he stranded in the DRC?
Dr Amin Sama is an Assistant Professor at Shri R. R. Lalan College in Bhuj, Kutch. He travelled to Rwanda on 15 May and entered Goma in the DRC to visit a childhood friend, but was trapped when Rwanda shut its border with the DRC two days later due to Ebola-related precautionary measures.
How did the Indian government secure his return?
The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation (NSGF) coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian diplomatic missions covering Rwanda and the DRC. Formal representations were sent on 10 June, followed by daily follow-ups with the Indian Embassy in Rwanda until travel clearance was granted on 17 June.
When is Dr Sama expected to return to India?
Dr Amin Sama is scheduled to return to India on 18 June 2025, after receiving all necessary transit and travel permissions on 17 June.
Was Dr Sama at risk of Ebola infection?
According to officials, Dr Sama stated that he had not visited any Ebola-affected zone, was fully asymptomatic, and was willing to undergo all required medical screening, quarantine, and immigration checks upon return.
What is the Gujarat NSGF and what role did it play?
The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation (NSGF) is a body under the NRI division of Gujarat’s General Administration Department that assists Gujarati and Indian nationals in distress abroad. It initiated contact with the MEA and Indian missions, maintained regular communication with Dr Sama, and coordinated the diplomatic push that secured his clearance.
