However, the fact that the United States took so long to plan a civilian evacuation from Sudan has raised new concerns. Sudan is home to around 16,000 Americans, many of whom are dual nationals, but Western and Persian Gulf allies were able to evacuate more people at a faster pace. The British, for example, have already evacuated 1,573 people from an airfield north of Khartoum, most of whom were British citizens. Germany and France also airlifted 1,700 people out of harm’s way, while Saudi authorities reported that at least 3,000 more people from various nations were evacuated by boat from Port Sudan to Jeddah.
The difference in the speed of evacuation efforts may stem from the United States taking a more cautious approach in the chaotic and unpredictable war zone with no defined front lines. This caution appeared to be justified on Friday when Turkey reported that one of its military aircraft had come under fire as it landed at the airfield on the edge of Khartoum. However, other Americans have made it over the border into Egypt and Ethiopia on their own by road, joining tens of thousands of Sudanese who have made the same journey.
The United States has helped American citizens get seats on flights out of Khartoum organized by allied nations, as well as occasionally on convoys going through Khartoum to the airfield. When asked at a news conference on Friday why the US government had not run evacuation transportation in the same manner as other countries, Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesman, said it was working closely with partner countries on the efforts. “This is a collective and collaborative effort,” he said.
Mr Patel revealed that several hundred American citizens have left Sudan on their own since the conflict began. The situation in Sudan has been volatile for some time, and the civil war has caused great suffering for the people of Sudan. While the evacuation of American citizens is a positive development, it highlights the need for increased international efforts to bring stability and peace to the region.
The United States government has faced criticism for its slow response to the crisis in Sudan, and the delay in evacuating American citizens has only added to this criticism. However, the United States is not alone in its cautious approach, as other countries have also taken measures to ensure the safety of their citizens during the evacuation process.
The fact that so many people have had to be evacuated from Sudan is a stark reminder of the dangers of civil war and conflict. It is also a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation in resolving such conflicts. As the situation in Sudan continues to evolve, it is hoped that efforts to bring peace and stability to the region will continue and that the people of Sudan will be able to live in peace and security once again.