South Africa starts evacuation of citizens from Sudan
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has confirmed that a process to evacuate trapped citizens in the violence-torn Sudan began on Monday.
Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the country’s security forces are involved in the operation.
"I can confirm that the operation to evacuate South Africans in Sudan and the staff at the South African embassy there is currently underway. They are being taken to a neighbouring country for safety.
"The operation is delicate because there is intense fighting that is going on. This has always been a priority for the government to take our people to safety. The security agencies of the government are involved in this operation.
Monyela did not disclose the country, or the number of people being evacuated nor a timeline on when they would arrive.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that some 77 South Africans were stuck in Sudan.
Ramaphosa also said Pretoria has agreed to "assist other nationals" from "our region" who are stranded in Sudan.
A number of countries have already evacuated thousands of their citizens after the army and paramilitary forces began clashing across Sudan, killing hundreds and causing acute shortages of water, food, medicines and fuel.
The World Health Organisation estimates the death toll to be more than 400 people.
Foreign countries are rushing to get their nationals out of Sudan as fighting between forces loyal to two rival generals rages into a second week.
Western nations have sent special forces and military aircraft to help get out embassy staff and other nationals.
Others have fled the capital Khartoum by road.
Latest update re: Evacuation of SA nationals in #Sudan. Our nationals & embassy staff are on their way out of #Khartoum. I can't disclose the security & logistics of the operation. But they are moving out. We are in constant contact with them. 🙏🏾
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) April 24, 2023
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