Big uproar in Sudan as the country continues to collapse into civil
conflict. Foreign governments have since rushed to close down their
embassies and move their people out to safety. Let's get you caught up.
Currently a Sudanese General is having a little tiff with a local paramilitary
leader over who should be dictator for life inside Africa's 3rd largest
country. You are now caught up. If you want a quick recap on the conflict one
is linked below but for our purposes, let's focus on the Canadian response.
Canada has temporarily suspended all operations inside of Sudan on
April 23 after any sense of stability rapidly eroded inside of the country.
Evacuation efforts began almost immediately. The Canadian Embassy,
which is located inside of the Capital Khartoum was quickly closed and its envoys shuttled to
safety, the proximity of the Canadian Embassy to the Khartoum international
airport quickly made it into one of the most dangerous areas in the country.
Ottawa was tracking around 1,800 Canadians who were in the country at the breakout of
hostilities. Experts claim this number is likely much higher because of the reluctance to properly
register from those canucks who are lower on the diplomatic totem pole. These Canadians,
along with the local Sudanese are now experiencing daily air attacks
and shelling which have proven to be indiscriminate and deadly.
Sudanese Doctors have estimated that more than 400 civilians have died and over
2,000 have been injured since violence broke out two weeks ago.
At least 400 Canadians have been waiting and requesting a pickup through Global Affairs Canada.
Ottawa’s response has since included Two Hercules and a single C17 which have put
themselves at increasing risk to evacuate more than 250 Canadian Citizens, among others.
Unfortunately since fighting began on April 15th, flight operations to Sudanese airfields
have become increasingly restricted. Khartoum international airport was immediately targeted
by the Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group or the RSF, this is the group battling the Sudanese
armed forces for control of strategic locations and ultimately the country.
The RSF quickly spread the fighting to surrounding airfields and departure
points even injuring evacuees during their boarding on a French aircraft.
Some of those remaining inside of the country have been exploring land evacuation options
instead of waiting for the return of that big herc in the sky.
This is a choice that may remove them from the immediate hotspot
but it certainly comes with its own risks. The 840 Kilometres that separates Khartoum
from Port Sudan on the Red Sea has become increasingly lawless since
fighting began. The warring parties have spilled out from the Capital
region and several reports speak of checkpoints manned by loosely
veiled militias and indiscriminate attacks on these convoys have begun.
This is likely to continue despite any ceasefire,
the notion of which is so on and off again that it's likely to make any local warlord's
head spin. Which is perhaps why fighting has continued through every single one.
If you find yourself at the port. A friendly naval ship
may take you to safety. If you're a Canadian looking for that big Red Maple,
I'm sorry but Ottawa suggests you seek evacuation through a commercial option.
HMCS Montreal and the supply vessel Asterix are nearby but have moved into position off
port with other allied warships in anticipation of a possible seaborne evacuation. I can’t tell
if this is likely or not as Ottawa is focused on renewing their air evacuation route. They
doubt that any significant number of evacuees will make the dangerous road trip to the sea.
At the time of this video, hundreds of Canadians remain stranded in the country.
The most recent Canadian Military flight occurred over the final weekend of April.
It evacuated over 205 people from just outside of Khartoum, 60 of which were Canadian citizens.
This will be the last flight for the time being. Small arms combat was witnessed a few
hundred metres while they loaded passengers and tracers were visible from take off and
landing which has introduced a risk/benefit scenario that Ottawa will no longer accept.
Military aircraft and 200 troops from CFB Petawawa will remain in
Jordan waiting for their next moment. Canadians in Sudan are
instructed to shelter in place with their phones charged and ready to go.
For those who remain, the outcome deteriorates every day.
Running water has stopped, food is becoming increasingly scarce and the atrocities that accompany these
conflicts have all begun to rear their ugly heads. All while the bombs continue to drop.
Lets hope we can get our people out as soon as possible.