The government made every effort to ensure that its diplomatic staff and other citizens were evacuated back to the country,
The United States government has revealed that “intensive negotiations” were held with Sudanese authorities to allow for the evacuation of thousands of nationals and other foreigners who were trapped in the North-East African country.
The US government stated this in a release from the Office of the Spokesperson dated 29th April, 2023.
According to the statement, the government made every effort to ensure that its diplomatic staff and other citizens were evacuated back to the country, and that all citizens should refrain from traveling to Sudan.
The statement reads: “A U.S. government-organised convoy carrying U.S citizens, locally employed staff, and nationals from allied and partner countries arrived at Port Sudan on April 29. From there, we are assisting U.S. citizens and others who are eligible with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where additional U.S. personnel are positioned to assist with consular and emergency services.
“This builds on the work the U.S. government has done this week to facilitate the departure of our diplomats by military assisted departure, and hundreds of other U.S. citizens by land convoys, flights on partner air craft, and sea. Hundreds of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have departed Sudan through these options facilitated by the U.S. government.
“The U.S. government has taken extensive efforts to contact U.S. citizens in Sudan and enable the departure of those who wished to leave. We messaged every U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
“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 U.S. 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.
“We reiterate our warning to U.S. citizens not to travel to Sudan,” the statement added.