Final UK flight leaves Sudan as evacuation mission ends amid faltering ceasefire
T
he ultimate UK evacuation flight from Sudan departed from the Wadi Saeedna airfield close to Khartoum at 10pm native time on Saturday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) mentioned.
A press release on the Government’s overseas journey recommendation for Sudan web site mentioned: “The UK Government is no longer running evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield.
“The last evacuation flight departed the airfield at 2200 Sudan time on 29 April.”
It comes as a Government minister mentioned the evacuation mission has been “extremely successful” however can not final “forever”.
The deadline for UK nationals to achieve the location with the intention to be processed for the final flight handed at 12pm native time, after the Government confirmed it was winding down its rescue operation.
At least 1,888 individuals on 21 flights have been evacuated from Sudan – the overwhelming majority of them British nationals and their dependents – however 1000’s extra British residents might stay.
Speaking to the BBC, Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell mentioned the operation has been “extremely successful”, however burdened: “We can’t stay there forever in such dangerous circumstances.”
Fighting has damaged out once more in Khartoum regardless of the extension of an armistice between the nation’s two warring generals having been brokered within the early hours of Friday.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly mentioned: “The UK has brought more than 1,888 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.”