More than a thousand European nationals in Sudan have been evacuated from Sudan, including eight Belgians. According to Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR), around 30 Belgians still remain in Sudan.
For over a week, there has been fighting between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a parliamentary group formerly operated by the Sudanese government.
More than a thousand Europeans have been evacuated so far, mainly diplomats and aid workers. France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain are engaged in evacuating their own citizens and citizens from other European countries.
Belgium is working with France, which is in charge of the evacuation of European citizens operation, and with the Netherlands.
Among the eight Belgians who have been evacuated is the Head of the EU’s humanitarian mission in Sudan, Wim Fransen, who was severely injured after being shot in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.
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Many of the 30 Belgians that are still in Sudan reportedly do not want to leave. Previously, Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib had stated that an evacuation is "not on the cards, because the situation in (the capital) Khartoum is too dangerous," referring to an attack on a convoy of US personnel.
Among the other evacuations, the first German plane left the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and landed in Berlin on Monday morning. On board were 101 people: both Germans and their relatives and nationals of partner states, as reported by the German foreign ministry reported this on Twitter.
The fighting breaking out in Sudan on 15 April when the army accused the RSF of illegal mobilisation and the RSF accused the army of plotting with Bashir loyalists to seize power. The army and RSF have been using heavy weaponry and at least 400 people have been killed. Thousands of Sudanese civilians have had to flee their homes due to the fighting.
