Sudan has been rocked by violence and unrest in recent years, and the situation does not appear to be improving. The latest incident involves an Indonesian citizen who was injured and 15 others who were evacuated to the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum. This article will delve into the ongoing conflict in Sudan and explore the implications of this recent incident.
On April 16, 2023, an Indonesian citizen was hit by a stray bullet as a result of the escalating military conflict in Sudan. The bullet caused a small scratch on the victim’s waist, and the incident occurred on the second day of the conflict. The individual, who lives in Arkaweet, has reportedly made a full recovery.
In addition to the individual who was hit by a stray bullet, 15 other Indonesians were evacuated to shelters set up at the Indonesian embassy in Khartoum as a result of the violence. The embassy staff members who went to distribute logistical assistance to affected Indonesian citizens took this opportunity to bring out affected individuals. Those evacuated from the country were mostly families with children, pregnant women, and babies.
Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha advised Indonesian citizens who have not yet reached the embassy to stay at home and avoid outdoor activities. Nugraha also emphasized that the movement of the evacuees’ to the Indonesian embassy’s safe house was carried out when the security situation allowed, emphasizing the need for caution during the conflict.
According to data from the Indonesian embassy, there are approximately 1,209 Indonesian citizens living in Sudan. Majority of them are located in Khartoum, with some in Wad Madani and Port Sudan. As of April 19, 2023, Japan has started to prepare to evacuate its citizens from Sudan due to the deadly fighting in the country. However, Indonesia has not yet made a statement regarding whether or not it will evacuate its citizens from Sudan.
The military conflict is between the Sudanese National army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and the surrounding region. The ongoing violence has led to more than 180 deaths and 1,800 injuries according to United Nations data. Recent months have seen an escalation in tensions due to disagreements between the rivals over military and security reform, which includes the full participation of the RSF in the army. The dispute came to a head when the army declared that recent moves by the RSF were uncoordinated and illegal.
On April 18, 2023, the Indonesian embassy distributed aid to Indonesian citizens affected by the conflict. The ongoing violence emphasizes the need for the embassy to continue aiding citizens, and for Indonesian citizens to take caution and avoid outdoor activities for their own safety. Although it is unclear at this time whether Indonesia will evacuate its citizens from the country, the safety measures and aid it is providing to its citizens provide some degree of assurance and support in these trying times.
