US diplomatic convoy attacked in Sudan as violence continues
In Sudan, a US diplomatic convoy came under fire on Monday, although nobody was injured, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Speaking in Japan after G7 talks, Blinken called the action "reckless, irresponsible, and unsafe." Deadly fighting between rival forces has been gripping Sudan for days, with around 185 people killed and over 1,800 injured in three days of violence. The city has been experiencing air strikes, shelling, and heavy small-arms fire.
Meanwhile, the EU's ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O'Hara, was attacked at his home in the capital city of Khartoum. Although he was not seriously hurt, the Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin confirmed that the attack was a "gross violation of obligations to protect diplomats." Both the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim to control key sites in Khartoum, where residents have been sheltering from explosions.
Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, tweeted that the security of diplomatic premises and staff was a "primary responsibility" of the Sudanese authorities. However, the EU delegation has not been evacuated from Khartoum following the attack, and staff security is being assessed. Similarly, the US state department has no plans to evacuate US personnel at present, despite ongoing security concerns and the closure of Khartoum's airport. The conflict has forced many civilians to shelter in their homes amid fears of a prolonged conflict that could lead to even deeper chaos.
A few hours ago, the EU Ambassador in #Sudan was assaulted in his own residency.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) April 17, 2023
This constitues a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law.
The fighting is between army units loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, commanded by Sudan's deputy leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Hemedti, as he is known, has branded Gen Burhan "a radical Islamist who is bombing civilians from the air." Gen Burhan has said he is willing to negotiate, and the two sides held a brief ceasefire on Sunday to allow the wounded to be evacuated. The regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or Igad, will send the presidents of South Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya to Sudan to try to broker peace.
