(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) By Caribbean News Global
ENGLAND / USA – The final UK evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield will depart 29 April, ending the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan of any Western country. The successful operation has evacuated more than 1888 people on 21 flights, the vast majority of them British nationals and their dependents, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reported on Sunday.
“Focus will now turn to providing consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region. The government decided to end flights today because of a decline in demand by British Nationals, and because the situation on ground continues to remain volatile.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, said:
“The UK has brought more than 1888 people to safety from Sudan thanks to the efforts of staff and military working around the clock to deliver this evacuation – the largest of any Western country.
“We continue to press all diplomatic levers to secure a long-term ceasefire and end the bloodshed in Sudan. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.”
Those still in Sudan who wish to leave should continue to follow our travel advice, the government announcement continued:
“The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule, with the prime minister, foreign secretary, defence secretary and minister for Africa all speaking with international partners.
For full details see fcdo travel advice for sudan .
FCDO communication advised that,“Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.”
“We reiterate our warning to US citizens not to travel to Sudan.” US Department of State
A US government-organized convoy carrying US citizens, locally employed staff, and nationals from allied and partner countries arrived at Port Sudan on April 29, the office of the spokesperson announced.
“From there, we are assisting US. citizens and others who are eligible with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where additional US personnel are positioned to assist with consular and emergency services. This builds on the work the US government has done this week to facilitate the departure of our diplomats by military-assisted departure, and hundreds of other US citizens by land convoys, flights on partner aircraft, and sea. Hundreds of US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents have departed Sudan through these options facilitated by the US government.”
According to the office of the spokesperson:“ The US government has taken extensive efforts to contact US citizens in Sudan and enable the departure of those who wished to leave. We messaged every US citizen in Sudan who communicated with us during the crisis and provided specific instructions about joining this convoy to those who were interested in departing via the land route. We encourage US citizens who want to leave Sudan but chose not to participate in this convoy to contact the department of state using the crisis intake form on our website.”
The US department of state in a press release said:“Intensive negotiations by the United States with the support of our regional and international partners enabled the security conditions that have allowed the departure of thousands of foreign and US citizens, including through today's operation. We continue to call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to end the fighting that is endangering civilians.”
