As bloody fighting in Sudan enters its second week, the Sudanese army announced on Saturday, April 22, 2023, that it is coordinating efforts to evacuate foreign citizens and diplomats on military aircraft.
Army Chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan committed to aiding the evacuation of American, British, Chinese, and French citizens and diplomats after speaking with the leaders of several countries requesting assistance.
With major airports transforming into battlegrounds and movement out of Khartoum becoming extremely dangerous, concerns have risen over the feasibility of mass evacuations.
RELATED: US Military Evacuates Embassy Amid Escalating Violence in Sudan
Burhan assured that necessary assistance would be provided for various countries, but questions still swirl regarding the logistics of such evacuations, as millions of people shelter indoors with dwindling food supplies.
The White House has not confirmed the Sudanese military’s announcement, stating that both sides must ensure the protection of civilians and non-combatants.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has pitted the Sudanese army, led by Burhan, against the powerful paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As battles rage in and around Khartoum, foreign countries have struggled to repatriate their citizens, many of whom are trapped in their homes.
Saudi Arabia announced the successful repatriation of some of its citizens on Saturday. Gen. Burhan said that Saudi diplomats and nationals travelled by land to Port Sudan before evacuating to the Saudi port of Jeddah. The same evacuation method is expected for Jordan’s diplomats.
RELATED: Khartoum Chaos: Ceasefire Collapses as Thousands Flee Sudan’s Capital
With the US focused on evacuating diplomats first, additional troops and equipment are being moved to a Naval base in Djibouti. Gen. Burhan has warned that flights in and out of Khartoum remain risky due to ongoing clashes.
Despite agreeing to a cease-fire for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Khartoum’s explosions and gunfire have continued to erupt. The violence has shattered hopes for Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led democracy, with fears of neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and Libya being drawn into the chaos.
RSF chief Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo has claimed his commitment to a complete cease-fire, promising to work towards opening humanitarian corridors for evacuations. However, those on the ground tell a different story. Atiya Abdalla Atiya, secretary of the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate, stated, “The war has been continuous since day one. It has not stopped for one moment.”
As the fighting in Sudan escalates and tens of thousands of foreign citizens attempt to leave, concerns grow about the potential for further violence. The international community remains on edge, waiting to see how this situation unfolds.