By Ebi Kesiena
Sudanese security authorities have mandated all foreign nationals to evacuate the capital, Khartoum, and its surrounding regions. This directive, issued by the police division responsible for foreign affairs, allows a two-week period for compliance.
The order underscores the escalating danger amid ongoing clashes between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The police emphasized that the evacuation is crucial for the safety of foreign nationals.
Recent media reports indicate a surge in hostility towards foreigners, particularly those from other African nations. This animosity has been fueled by allegations of foreign mercenaries fighting alongside the RSF. In a recent crackdown, over 150 foreigners lacking valid residence documentation were detained.
The conflict in Sudan, which has persisted for over a year, is marked by a violent power struggle between de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo. The UN reports that the ongoing violence has displaced nearly 10 million people and exacerbated the risk of famine across the country.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, staff from international aid organizations and diplomatic missions relocated from Khartoum to Port Sudan, where conditions are relatively more stable.
