(Ottawa) The federal government has deployed members of Global Affairs Canada’s permanent rapid deployment team to Djibouti due to the instability and rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan.
In a statement Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly also said that the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, has temporarily suspended its in-person activities.
Ms. Joly said the Rapid Deployment Team can provide emergency response, coordination, consular assistance and logistical support.
The government says the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces are “planning for various contingencies,” but gives no further details.
On Thursday, Joly said Canada had no way to evacuate citizens from Sudan, where violence has escalated dramatically between the country’s military and its rival paramilitary force.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has about 1,500 Canadians registered as being in Sudan.
“The situation in Sudan is unstable and rapidly deteriorating. Canada continues to call for an end to violence and stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan in the fight for peace,” Ms. Joly said.
“We are actively monitoring the situation in Sudan and working with neighboring countries as well as like-minded governments and the international community to coordinate the response to this crisis,” the Liberal minister added.
She indicated that consular services remain available to Canadians in Sudan, but due to the current security situation, these services may be limited.
“Officials in Ottawa are also in regular contact with affected Canadians, providing them with information and advice as the situation evolves. In addition, the leaders of our missions in neighboring countries are also ready to provide support if necessary,” Ms. Joly detailed.
The United States and other countries expect violence to escalate and prepare to evacuate their nationals to Sudan. Some of the heaviest fighting has taken place at airports.
The Pentagon transferred a small number of troops to a base in Djibouti to facilitate the evacuation.
US General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the situation with defense officials from Germany, Italy and Canada, during a meeting in Germany Friday, a US official said.
One of the topics discussed was ensuring that potential evacuation efforts do not conflict. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the discussions.
