The head of the EU humanitarian mission (ECHO) in Sudan, Wim Fransen, has suffered a bullet wound in Khartoum, the New York Times reported on Tuesday evening, based on multiple sources.
Fransen, a Belgian national, went missing on the night of Sunday to Monday, as fighting intensified in the Sudanese capital. His colleagues from the EU mission in Khartoum went looking for him and found him on Tuesday.
The New York Times reported his injuries are serious but not life-threatening. On Wednesday, the FPS Foreign Affairs confirmed that one Belgian has been hospitalised, however, no details were given about the identity.
The FPS Foreign Affairs further reported having been in contact with most of the Belgians currently in Sudan, amounting to 26 so far.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wouter Poels does point out that the situation can change very quickly and asked that family members notify the FPS Foreign Affairs if they have not heard any news about Belgians who are said to be in Sudan.
At least 270 killed so far
Clashes broke out in Khartoum on Saturday between the Sudanese military of President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, led by Vice President Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, mainly made up primarily of former members of the Janjawid militia that gained notoriety in the war in Darfur, western Sudan.
The fighting was still raging on Tuesday night despite earlier reports of a temporary respite, and embassies have asked their staff to shelter from the violence.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 270 people have already been killed and about 2,600 injured, while thousands are stuck in their flats and houses, often without electricity and without the ability to get food, water or medicine.
On Monday, EU Ambassador Aidan O’Hara, a diplomat from Ireland, was attacked in his residence by armed men who threatened him at gunpoint and stole money from him.
Related News
- Belgians in Khartoum are 'safe' despite violent clashes, Foreign Ministry claims
- UN envoy to Sudan calls for 'immediate' end to fighting
EU officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the assailants were identified by their uniforms as belonging to the RSF, according to the New York Times.
EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell called the attack "a gross violation" of the Vienna Convention. “Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law,” he tweeted on Monday.
A US Embassy convoy was also shot at in the Sudanese capital on Monday. Ceasefires have been put in place but were then violated.
