This image grab taken from AFPTV video footage on 20 April 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport amid ongoing battles between the forces of two rival generals. Photo: AFP
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed that South African nationals and embassy staff, who are still stuck in violence-torn Sudan, are being evacuated from the capital Khartoum.
Dirco confirmed on Sunday that some 77 South African citizens, including embassy personnel, were stranded in the northeast African country.
This follows ferocious battles since 15 April between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group that have killed more than 400 people and left thousands wounded.
ALSO READ: 77 South Africans still stuck in Sudan, govt’s evacuation plans hampered by fighting
Several countries, including France, Italy, Turkey and the United States, have all evacuated their citizens from Sudan due to the conflict.
Dirco‘s spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the department could not disclose the logistics of government’s evacuation operation due to security concerns.
Monyela said the operation was being hindered by continued fighting in Sudan, but security forces on Monday removed South African citizens and embassy staff out of Khartoum – which has seen intense fighting with tanks and air strikes launched by fighter jets.
“The number one priority for government right now remains to evacuate our nationals who are stuck and stranded. We are exploring all options. The fighting hasn’t stopped, which means all routes out of Khartoum are risky and dangerous,” he said.
Monyela said officials are communicating with South African nationals through a WhatsApp group.
“We will be providing regular updates to the 77 South Africans that we know of who we are prioritising to evacuate out of Sudan. The airport remains closed and the fighting continues.
“And this is why we continue to call for a ceasefire to allow for the safe passage for those who want to get out and to allow for humanitarian aid.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday said government was “deeply concerned” about the unfolding situation in Sudan. South Africa is currently serving as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).
Ramphosa has joined the international community in its call on the parties to the conflict to lay down their weapons and return to the negotiating table.
The president said SA, as a member of the AUPSC, has been seized with the situation in Sudan, and working with other African countries towards peace and stability in the northeast African nation.
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The conflict in Sudan started almost three weeks ago between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo began.
The fighting is over a dispute on the planned integration of the RSF into the regular Sudanese army.
The move was a key condition of a deal aimed at restoring Sudan’s democratic transition after the military toppled former leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following mass citizen protests.
The two men had joined forces to oust a civilian government installed after Bashir’s downfall, before turning on each other.
Additional reporting by AFP.
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