Japan’s defense ministry is preparing to evacuate Japanese nationals from Sudan amid fighting in the country, a government spokesperson said.
Japan’s foreign minister asked the defense minister to use the Self-Defense Forces’ plane for the evacuation, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
“The government will continue to do its utmost to ensure the safety of Japanese residents in Japan, including the safety and evacuation of Japanese nationals, in close cooperation with the G-7 and other major countries,” Matsuno said.
About 60 Japanese nationals were in Sudan as of April 19, Matsuno told reporters, adding the government was able to contact all of them, and none of them were injured.
Heavy gunfire shattered a 24-hour truce in Sudan on April 18.
Sudan’s rival commanders have agreed on a 24-hour ceasefire from Tuesday evening, the army has said, following pressure from the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier held separate calls with the army’s chief and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed at least 185 people and injured more than 1,800, said United Nations envoy Volker Perthes, amid airstrikes and fighting in Khartoum and strife across Sudan.
Germany’s Evacuation Plan Halted
Meanwhile, Germany was forced to halt its evacuation plans in Sudan due to the deadly fighting in the capital Khartoum, the Spiegel news magazine reported citing unnamed sources.The German military aimed to evacuate around 150 citizens, the report said.
A spokesperson for the defense ministry declined to comment on the report. The foreign ministry did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.
Spiegel said the Luftwaffe air force had dispatched three A400M transport planes for the mission early on Wednesday. The planes had landed in Greece for a refueling stop.
The Bundeswehr military aborted the mission amid reports of renewed clashes and airstrikes in Khartoum, according to the report.
The truce was intended to provide some respite to civilians now living under the shadow of warplanes.
Instead, shortly after it was due to take hold at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, tank fire and loud shooting could be heard in Khartoum.
Several witnesses reported a large ground army entering the capital from the east.
“We’ve not had any confirmation or indication that this is holding.”
At a press briefing shortly after the deadline, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described fighting in Khartoum with jets, heavy artillery, and small arms.
“It is creating a climate that is extremely dangerous for civilians, and by definition, for our staff, humanitarian staff, diplomatic staff, and that’s why we continue to engage with the parties in order to try to get a solid cessation of hostilities.”
On the streets of Khartoum, civilians described scenes of chaos as they desperately looked for necessities like water and medicine.
The U.N. World Food Program says it has been forced to halt operations in several areas, and three employees were killed.
“Me and my friend trapped in the road because army has started taking over many roads ahead and they are checking all the vehicles. When we tried to cross to our place, they started raising the gun, then we ran away,” said Indian travel blogger Maheen S.
“All the water, all milk, everything is empty here on the refrigerator. See, everything is khalas [finished], nothing left, food stock is not available.”
The RSF is a former militia that was due to merge with the army and whose leaders shared power ruling the country in a military council. Both were due to release their power as the country transitioned toward a civilian democracy.
Friction over the integration brewed for months, but it’s unclear who shot first. The RSF says the army tried to seize full control in a plot. The army accuses the RSF of mobilizing its forces illegally and moving on strategic sites.
