NAIROBI – The British government has successfully evacuated its diplomats and their families from Sudan in a ‘complex and rapid’ operation, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The evacuation comes after a power struggle between Sudan’s regular army and a paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), erupted into deadly violence in Khartoum last week.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly cited “specific threats and violence directed towards diplomats” as the reason for the evacuation.
Cleverly also mentioned that the British government’s ability to evacuate other British nationals in Sudan is “severely limited” until the fighting stops, but the government will continue to work towards ensuring their safety.
The evacuees were taken to an airfield outside of Khartoum to fly out of the country overnight.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed that work is ongoing to ensure the safety of British nationals who remain in Sudan. Cleverly added that by relocating the embassy to a nearby country, diplomats could provide more assistance to those in Sudan.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has also announced the suspension of operations at the US Embassy in Sudan and the evacuation of all US personnel and their dependents.
The US government is assisting Americans in planning for their own safety and will continue to press for an expansion of the ceasefire to prevent further damage to Sudan.
US President Joe Biden has also issued a statement on the situation in Sudan, expressing his pride in the extraordinary commitment of embassy staff and the unmatched skill of service members who successfully brought them to safety.
He thanked Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, which were critical to the success of the operation. Biden also called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and respect for the will of the people of Sudan.
The US is temporarily suspending operations at its embassy in Sudan but remains committed to the Sudanese people and their future
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