Japan will evacuate its citizens from Sudan as the security situation in the African country continues to deteriorate. The Sudanese government army has been fighting against paramilitary militias since Saturday and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 270 people have already been killed. According to the Dutch embassy, the situation does not yet allow for a possible evacuation of the approximately 50 Dutch people. The Netherlands is preparing for “all scenarios”.
Japan is the first country to announce plans to remove its citizens. Other countries are asking their citizens in Sudan to report and stay indoors. The Netherlands too. According to the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, Japan will send a military plane to pick up the approximately 60 civilians. “We will provide all necessary support to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens,” Cabinet Chief Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference.
Germany halts rescue operations
The German army reportedly disrupted a secret rescue operation with three planes this morning. According to the German newspaper Der Spiegel, the Bundeswehr tried to evacuate about 150 Germans from the airport in the capital Khartoum with three planes. Germany halted the operation due to heavy fighting in the vicinity of the airfield.
According to Der Spiegel, other countries that wanted to evacuate their citizens also stopped their rescue operations. It is not known which countries are involved.
The Netherlands has prepared for all scenarios
The Dutch ambassador to Sudan, Irma van Dueren, says in an audio message that she understands that “people want to leave” now that supplies are running out and there is a shortage of electricity. But she says that for security reasons it is not possible to evacuate now. The Netherlands is “actively preparing for all scenarios, in close cooperation with our international partners”.
The Dutch embassy in Khartoum is closed and embassy staff are at home. Interim ambassador Martijn Lambarts pushed his wardrobe in front of the guest room window. “That room is at the back of my house and is the safest. You hear a lot about bullets flying at random.’
The ceasefire agreed yesterday by both sides is not being respected. Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns Dutch people not to go out:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot verify or predict whether the parties to the conflict will join the ceasefire. So you have your responsibility to decide whether to go out or not.
- Are you in a safe place? Then stay there
- The embassy is closed to the public
- Never go out alone and be very careful as a woman. In that case, bring all relevant items (travel documents, means of communication, medication, food/water) with you.
- Before heading out, check your network for incidents in the area
- Let your network know where you will be moving from.
- If you are in an unsafe place where you have to or want to leave, see if you can go to (international) acquaintances
- Don’t go out after dark, avoid checkpoints, and don’t take photos outdoors
- If the opportunity arises, replenish supplies, such as water, food, fuel, and medical supplies
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
