At the moment, even going outside the embassy gates is very risky, because there is intense shooting nearby.
Photo: REUTERS
Violent clashes between the regular army and units of the elite special forces – the Rapid Reaction Forces – continue in Sudan. Major warlords on both sides are vying for power. Attempts to declare a truce lead nowhere, the death toll has already exceeded a thousand. As a result, the country plunged into chaos, especially in the capital Khartoum.
Russian citizens in Sudan have now been brought to the territory of our embassy, with the exception of one woman with a child, blocked in the building of the Orthodox Nubian metropolis. There are 140 people in the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation, among them not only Russians, but also citizens of other states who asked to help them with the evacuation. However, it was not possible to organize it on the plane – the capital’s airport is engulfed in fire, there are military operations.
Russian Ambassador in Khartoum Andrey Chernovol said that another option is being considered – to take people to the city of Port Sudan, 900 km from the capital, and from there fly to Moscow.
– However, there are problems, – the ambassador explained. – This means the availability of the necessary vehicles with escort and movement along the road, on which it is almost impossible to get gasoline. The journey will take considerable time, and leading women and children to such a distance is a difficult task.
Chernovol added that at the moment even going outside the embassy gates is very risky, because there is intense shooting nearby. A convoy with French citizens who decided to leave the country was attacked by militants, several people were injured. However, the diplomat stressed that if the escalation of tension in Sudan does not subside, the embassy will definitely organize at least a partial evacuation of the Russians.
