Global leaders and embassies expressed concern over the situation unfolding in Sudan between the country’s military and the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces, calling for an end to conflict and advising citizens to stay indoors.
European Union
The European Union’s foreign policy chief called on forces fighting in Sudan to “stop the violence immediately,” calling the situation “alarming.”
“An escalation will only aggravate the situation. Protection of citizens is a priority,” Josep Borrell tweeted on Saturday.
United States
The US Embassy in Sudan has issued security alerts, and embassy staff in Khartoum have been ordered to shelter in place due to “reports of heavy gunfire in several locations in Khartoum.” American citizens in the country are also encouraged to shelter.
“There are no plans for a U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of U.S. citizens at this time,” according to the US Embassy security alert.
The US ambassador to Sudan said he is sheltering in place.
“I just arrived late last night in Khartoum and woke up to the deeply disturbing sounds of gunfire and fighting,” Ambassador John Godfrey said in a tweet. He urged all senior military leaders to stop the fighting.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that the situation in Khartoum is “fragile” when asked by a reporter to comment during a presser in Vietnam.
“The major parties in Khartoum, some weeks ago reached a very important framework agreement on how to proceed with a transition to civilian government. And there’s been real progress in trying to move that forward,” Blinken said.
“It’s a fragile situation. There are other actors that may be pushing against that progress. But this is a real opportunity to finally carry forward the civilian-led transition and one that we and other countries are trying to bolster,” Blinken added.
UK
The British Embassy in Sudan encouraged all UK nationals in the country to stay indoors amid the fighting.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan where there are ongoing military clashes,” British Embassy in Sudan said in a tweet. “We advise all British Nationals in Sudan to remain indoors and follow our travel advice for more updates.”
Egypt
Egypt expressed “great concern” regarding the ongoing clashes and called on all parties to stop the violence in a statement issued on Saturday.
“The Arab Republic of Egypt follows with great concern the developments of the situation in Sudan due to the clashes taking place there, and calls on all Sudanese parties to exercise maximum levels of self-control to protect the lives and potential of the brotherly Sudanese people, and in advance of the highest interests of the homeland,” a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said.
India
The Embassy of India in Khartoum issued a notice on Saturday for all Indians to stay inside and take precautions.
“STOP VENTURING OUTSIDE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. PLEASE ALSO STAY CALM AND WAIT FOR UPDATES,” the Embassy of India said in a tweet.
CNN’s Michael Callahan, Xiaofei Xu, Sophie Jeong, Lauren Kent, Duarte Mendonca, Salma Abdelaziz and Manveena Suri contributed to this post.
