Indonesian Embassy In Khartoum Returns Indonesian Citizens Affected By Sudan's Conflict

The Indonesian Embassy Khartoum repatriated three Indonesian citizens (WNI), who were affected by the Sudanese war, from the KBRI Khartoum shelter in Port Sudan to Indonesia on Monday (29/1/2024). (ANTARA/HO-KBRI Khartoum)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum has repatriated three Indonesian citizens (WNI), who were affected by the Sudanese war from the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum in Port Sudan to Indonesia.

The three Indonesian citizens were previously in Sudan to study religious science informally in Gadharif, Sudan.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan, Sunarko, said the process of evacuating the three Indonesian citizens went smoothly, although the war situation was still ongoing in several parts of Sudan.

Since the beginning of the armed conflict that hit Sudan, the three Indonesian citizens decided to survive and settle in Gadharif because the situation in the region was considered relatively safe and far from the location of the conflict.

However, the expansion of conflicts that threaten security and safety forced them to ask the Indonesian Embassy for evacuation assistance

When releasing the return of the three Indonesian citizens from Port Sudan to Indonesia, Sunarko advised them to continue their education and deepening Islamic knowledge, both in Indonesia and in other places that are safer.

"This evacuation is clear evidence of the participation of the Indonesian Embassy in maintaining the security and safety of Indonesian citizens in the midst of conflict situations abroad. The Indonesian government continues to be committed to providing protection and assistance to Indonesian citizens in need, even in the midst of challenges and difficult conditions such as armed conflict," said the statement.

Armed conflict between Sudanese soldiers (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia broke out on April 15, 2023, when Sudanese paramilitary forces RSF launched a coup against Sudanese transitional government.

This coup led to a split between the Sudanese military and paramilitary, which later led to civil war. To date, there is no sign that the conflict in Sudan will end soon. The two warring sides are still fighting each other, and no peace agreement has been reached.

The Indonesian government has repatriated more than 1,000 Indonesian citizens living in Sudan since the conflict broke out. Based on data from the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum, there are 1,209 Indonesian citizens living in Sudan, most of whom are students and students.

The United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) last September stated that more than 5.25 million people were displaced due to the ongoing fighting.