The Diplomat
The Spanish government has temporarily closed its embassy in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, as the city does not currently meet minimum security conditions due to the armed conflict unleashed between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has already cost dozens of deaths since it broke out on Saturday.
The embassy, headed by Isidro González Afonso, published a brief text on social media stating that it will remain closed until further notice and asked Spanish citizens in the city to remain at home and avoid travelling abroad. It also provided an emergency number.
A few hours later, the diplomatic representation specified that “despite the closure until further notice of the service to the public in person”, “it continues to be fully operational from its offices and other locations in Khartoum”.
It also advised Spaniards to stay in contact with the embassy and insisted that they remain in a safe place and avoid travelling.
From Strasbourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, indicated that the government is studying all possible options in view of the situation, “including evacuation, if necessary and possible”, he said, of the nearly 80 Spaniards who are in the country.
However, he recalled that, at the moment, Khartoum airport is blocked and the land borders are closed, so no international rescue operation is possible.
He added that there is coordination between EU ambassadors and also contacts with Latin American countries to organise possible evacuations of foreigners, if necessary.
Finally, he indicated that “the embassy is still fully operational and available to the Spaniards who are there” and added that they are in contact with them and “establishing the final list of those who are” in the country.
At least 83 civilians have died in Sudan since fighting broke out last Saturday between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the country, according to medical sources and NGOs.
Chaotic information on the conflict is increasingly difficult to obtain because of numerous internet outages across the country. MTN, one of Sudan’s largest operators, yesterday announced the suspension of its service by order of the country’s National Telecommunications Authority, according to a statement carried by the ‘Al Hadath’ channel.
This came after the Rapid Support Forces categorically denied a statement by the Sudanese army announcing the conquest of paramilitary bases in seven locations in the country (Port Sudan, Kasala, Gedaref, Damazin, Kosti, Kadugli and Karar) as well as the death of RSF commanders in North and West Darfur.
