South Africa has started the process of evacuating its citizens and diplomats from Sudan due to the ongoing conflict in the country. The country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, confirmed that the evacuation operation is underway, and the South Africans and embassy staff will be taken to a neighboring country for safety.
The exact number of people being evacuated and the destination of the neighboring country was not disclosed. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated earlier that about 77 South Africans were stuck in Sudan, and they would also assist other nationals from the region who are stranded in the country.
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Several other countries such as Belgium, Canada, India, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have already started evacuation operations via Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
The conflict in Sudan began when the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started clashing across the country, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and shortages of basic necessities like water, food, medicines, and fuel. Hospitals have also been closed due to infrastructure bombings, adding to the dire situation in the country.
