Key ally France evacuates Indian citizens from Sudan warzone with Djibouti as fulcrum

France announced Monday that it has evacuated 388 people from Khartoum, including Indian citizens, as the security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate rapidly.

Titled ‘Sagittaire’, the French military operation is being carried out in support with the country’s forces pre-positioned in Africa, in particular the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDj) which are providing reception to the evacuees.

French Air Force operated transport flights between Khartoum and Djibouti at the end of the day on April 23 and then again on Monday morning, carrying a hundred people on board each time.

Besides French nationals, those rescued included a significant number of citizens of 28 other countries, including Europeans (Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland), Africans (South Africa, Burundi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan), Americans (United States, Canada) and Asians (India, Japan, Philippines).

The French Defence Ministry stated that the entire operation is being carried out in close coordination with its allies and the Djiboutian armed forces.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, the Indian government is making all-out efforts to ensure the safety and security of Indians stranded in Sudan.

This includes coordinating closely with various partners for the safe movement of those Indians who are stranded in Sudan and would like to be evacuated.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Sudan are keeping in regular touch with not only the Sudanese authorities but also with the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and the United States among others.

At the same time, in order to move swiftly, the Indian government is also pursuing multiple options, including positioning two Indian Air Force C-130J on standby in Jeddah and moving Indian Naval Ship INS Sumedha to Port Sudan.

“Our Embassy is in regular touch with the stranded Indians in Sudan and is advising them on the viability of safe movement and the need to avoid unnecessary risk. It is also coordinating all possible assistance including possible exit from Khartoum city as and when the security situation permits safe movement,” the MEA said on Sunday.

In spite of repeated calls for a humanitarian, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire for the protection of civilians, the situation in the African country remains extremely volatile.