China evacuates citizens from Sudan as violence continues

First group of Chinese nationals leaves for neighbouring countries as fighting between rival factions disrupts access to food and electricity

Main airports in North African nation remain closed after failure of attempted ceasefire

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As of Sunday, more than 420 people had died and 3,700 were injured in fighting in Sudan, according to the World Health Organization. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:00pm, 24 Apr 2023Updated: 8:21pm, 24 Apr 2023

China has evacuated the first group of its citizens from Sudan to neighbouring countries as the fighting continues in the North African country, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.

Since the sudden change in the situation in Sudan, the central government has been “deeply concerned” about the safety of Chinese citizens in the country, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.

She said the ministry had activated an emergency mechanism for consular protection, closely communicated and coordinated with various departments, local governments, embassies and consulates in Sudan and neighbouring countries, formulated an evacuation and transfer plan and made every effort to maintain the safety of Chinese nationals.

Beijing said it was “deeply concerned” about the safety of Chinese citizens in Sudan. Photo: Weibo

“The first group of nationals has been safely evacuated to countries neighbouring Sudan,” Mao said.

The fighting between two rival factions – the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) – erupted on April 15 and has escalated since then.

The situation in the capital city of Khartoum is highly unstable, with constant shootings and bombings interrupting the electricity supply and blocking safe access to food and water, according to multiple reports.

The main airports remained closed after the latest ceasefire attempt – a three-day pause to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr – fell apart.

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