Sudan: France evacuates 538 people, including 5 Indians

According to French diplomatic sources, France evacuated 538 people from Sudan by air on Tuesday, including 209 French and 329 nationals from 41 other countries, including 5 Indians.

The United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and a number of other countries confirmed that they were withdrawing their citizens after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a three-day ceasefire.

The difficulties in the evacuation operation were further explained by French diplomatic sources. According to them, the evacuation is complicated because the security situation on the ground is dangerous.

According to diplomatic sources, the decision to include nationals from many other countries, as well as the fact that all evacuation options (ground and air) were kept open during the planning stage until the last moment when the air bridge was selected, aptly describes the complexities of the operation.

The operation involved French military assets in Africa, specifically those stationed in Djibouti. It was closely coordinated with allies, partners, and the Djibouti authorities, whose assistance was critical.

“The air bridge was possible thanks to the operational capabilities of the French Armed forces and to diplomatic efforts, including calls to both Sudanese parties to ensure security conditions for evacuation,” said the French diplomatic sources.