China, Indonesia evacuate first batches of citizens from Sudan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Apr 2023 14:51

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announces the arrival of the first set of evacuees from conflict-ridden Sudan while Indonesia repatriates more than 500 citizens on Monday.

Smoke is seen in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 22, 2023 (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)

China evacuated the first set of nationals stuck in conflict-torn Sudan on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced.

Government figures show that there are more than 1,500 Chinese citizens staying in Sudan.

Mao Ning the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the first batch of Chinese citizens were "safely evacuated", the official did not specify the number of evacuees.

The People's Republic of China will take every measure "to protect the lives, properties, and safety of 1,500 plus Chinese compatriots in Sudan," Wu Xi, a top official at the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

China is Sudan's largest trade partner with official documents showing that more than 130 Chinese companies have direct investments in the country.

Indonesia follows suit

Furthermore, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi noted that Jakarta was able to transfer upwards of 500 Indonesian nationals from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan on Monday.

The expatriates are expected to travel through the Red Sea to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"Most of the Indonesian citizens who were evacuated were Indonesian students, Indonesian migrant workers, Indofood company employees, and Indonesian embassy staff and their families," Marsudi said in a press briefing.

The official highlighted that 289 citizens will be evacuated in the second round "at the first opportunity" available, the official said.

The Foreign Ministry says that embassy records show there are 1,200 Indonesians currently present in Sudan.

Mass evacuations from Sudan

Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, European countries, and the US have launched similar operations to evacuate their citizens from Sudan which has entered its second week of the conflict.

The country's airports have been put out of service after falling under the line of fire between the infighting Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

The Sudanese armed forces revealed that it has lost control over the Khartoum Airport saying that it has control over others, on Saturday. Western countries have landed military personnel and equipment to complete the evacuation efforts of their diplomats and citizens as the situation in Khartoum remains unpredictable.