A Canadian citizen, Hisham Mohamed, faced a dangerous three-day journey out of Sudan due to the lack of a clear evacuation plan from the Canadian government. He was stranded in the war-torn country and saw his flight canceled amid growing violence between Sudan’s army and the rival paramilitary force. Mohamed signed up with the Global Affairs registry of Canadian citizens, but after not hearing anything further, he decided to make the trek out of the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. His journey involved buses, pickup trucks, and small vehicles, as well as an overnight stay in one location.
The Sudanese army is coordinating efforts to evacuate foreign citizens and diplomats from four countries as fighting spilled into a second week. Several foreign countries, including Canada, have struggled to repatriate their citizens. Global Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Canadians would receive evacuation help from Sudan, and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has previously said Canada had no way of helping trapped citizens escape the fighting.
Meanwhile, the head of a Sudanese Canadian community organization is calling on the Canadian government to create a program for community members seeking to sponsor family who are either stuck in Sudan or have fled to nearby bordering countries. Ashraf alTahir, president of the Sudanese Canadian Communities Association, says members of the diaspora are prepared to pay any associated costs but need the government to put a program in place. They also called for an evacuation plan and humanitarian aid.
«As we speak right now, there is no safe place,» alTahir said. «No one can tell the exact number of deaths right now, the death toll is increasing in astronomical numbers.» Estimates from the World Health Organization put the number of casualties at more than 400 so far. AlTahir said he fears the situation in Sudan could turn into another genocide like the one Rwanda saw in 1994, adding western governments must not abandon the people of Sudan.
The Canadian government has sent members of its Global Affairs Standing Rapid Deployment Team to Djibouti due to the volatile and rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan. Canada’s embassy in Khartoum has temporarily suspended in-person operations, but the team can provide emergency response, coordination, consular assistance, and logistical support. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are also planning for contingencies but gave no further details. Global Affairs Canada said Saturday there are 1,596 Canadians known to be in Sudan, but the number is only an estimate as registration is voluntary. AlTahir said his organization is also gathering data on community members stuck in the country to help with any evacuation efforts.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, and calls for action from the Canadian government and the international community are growing louder. It is essential to have a clear evacuation plan and humanitarian aid in place to ensure the safety and well-being of Canadians and others in Sudan.