Governments around the world are scrambling to evacuate their diplomats and citizens trapped in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as rival generals battle for control of the African country. Fighting continued to rage in the city of Omdurman across the Nile from Khartoum, despite a declared ceasefire in honor of the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The thick black smoke filled the sky over Khartoum’s airport, while the paramilitary group conflicting the Sudanese armed forces reported airstrikes on the upscale neighbourhood of Kafouri, north of Khartoum.
The US military took the initiative on Sunday and airlifted embassy officials out of Sudan, though a mass evacuation for private citizens is still deemed too dangerous for now. Other nations have followed suit in evacuating their embassies, nationals and allied citizens. France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy and Saudi Arabia have each dispatched airbuses and special forces to aid in the rescue mission. While overland travel has been treacherous due to the conflict, Saudi Arabia has successfully evacuated approximately 157 people with a convoy of cars and buses from Khartoum to Port Sudan, followed by a ferry to Jeddah.
The battle between the Sudanese military, headed by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, under General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has disrupted Sudan’s anticipated democratic transition and inflicted immense damage to the infrastructure, knocking out multiple airports and plunging the main international airport into ruins. In addition, hundreds have been killed, wounded and stranded.
Meanwhile, the war has pushed millions of citizens to the brink, leaving them without electricity, food and water. The Internet connection and phone lines were near-non existent on Sunday, potentially hampering efforts to stay safe and evacuate. Many desperate civilians have fled the capital city, others taking shelter in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, or the various embassies. A Egyptian diplomat was recently reported to have been injured in the conflict.
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The US Embassy convoy was recently attacked, along with the home of the European Union ambassador to Sudan, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The current explosion of violence originated from a disagreement over a deal brokered by international organisations to incorporate the Rapid Support Forces into Sudan’s military, a necessary step for Sudan’s transition to civilian rule.
This article provides an insight into the struggles occurring in Sudan over the past few days. It is yet another reminder of the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, and of the urgent action needed to restore actual peace and order in the country.
