The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of intensifying ceasefire efforts and returning to the political framework

UAE evacuates its citizens and nationals of several countries from Sudan

  • An elderly Sudanese woman receives help drinking water as she flees Khartoum clashes.

  • Buses transporting departures from Sudan on their way to the Egyptian city of Aswan. AFP

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The UAE has evacuated its citizens and nationals of a number of countries from the brotherly Republic of Sudan, and the UAE has worked to provide all hosting and sponsorship services to 19 different nationalities, during their evacuation to the city of Port Sudan, and their presence in it, and the UAE will host them on its territory before transferring them to their countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that as part of the UAE's humanitarian efforts and its commitment to strengthening global cooperation and solidarity, the UAE has evacuated its citizens and nationals of a number of countries from Sudan, in continuation of its humanitarian approach based on providing protection to civilians and extending a helping hand to countries in times of need, noting that it places the sick, children, the elderly and women at the top of its priorities in this regard.

The Ministry affirmed the UAE's commitment to work with its partners and the international community to achieve everything that serves the interests of the Sudanese people, stressing the importance of intensifying efforts aimed at a ceasefire, returning to the political framework and dialogue, and moving forward in the transitional phase to reach the desired political and security stability in Sudan.

On the ground, fighting in Sudan subsided after the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire, allowing more Sudanese to leave yesterday and a number of countries to evacuate their citizens.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had killed at least 459 people, injured more than 4000,<> others, cut off water and electricity, and food was unavailable in several areas of Sudan.

Sudanese families took advantage of the lulls to leave their homes after more than a week of heavy fighting and to find ways to get them to safety. As civilians left Khartoum in cars and buses, the streets of the capital became almost empty, and normal daily life receded, with those in the city remaining indoors.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a ceasefire agreement, after intensive negotiations over two days, and the parties to the conflict exchanged accusations of violating the truce, with sporadic gunfire, but the battles and explosions recorded a relative decline.

The announcement of the ceasefire agreement came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need to stop the violence, as it "threatens a catastrophic fire inside Sudan, which may spread to the entire region and beyond."

Sudan's Forces of Freedom and Change said that during the truce, a dialogue would be held on arrangements for a final ceasefire.

On the other hand, the Canadian government announced that it intends to put in place new immigration-related procedures to support Sudanese holding temporary residency who are currently in Canada, and may not be able to return to Sudan, due to the rapidly deteriorating situation there.

The Canadian government said in a statement that once the new measures come into effect, Sudanese citizens will be able to request an extension of their residency in Canada, which will allow them to continue studying, working or visiting their families in the country without any expenses, and will prioritize reviewing already completed permanent and temporary residency applications on the immigration system, for those who are still in Sudan, in order to facilitate procedures for them.

A relative commitment to the truce with sporadic gunfire. Civilians are taking advantage of the lulls to leave Khartoum.