As violence continues in Sudan’s capital Khartoum Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says more than 300 Ugandans are caught-up in the fighting .
The Ugandans who are trapped and cant be evacuated due to the intense fighting include 21 at the airport in Khartoum who were enroute to Mecca Saudi Arabia for special Mecca pilgrimage prayers .
Sources intimated that the Ugandans caught up in the fighting have no food, clean water and electricity and some lack medicines for various ailments .
Parliament presided over by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has asked government to make all the necessary diplomatic arrangements to ensure the security and safe passage of all Ugandans in Sudan.
Following the escalation of fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu – convened an emergency virtual closed meeting of the member Heads of State and governments to discuss how best to de-escalate the situation & restore calm in Sudan.
In a statement to members attending the meeting, President Yoweri Museveni condemned the misuse of force in a situation that undermines all progress made through dialogue over the last many months.
“We cannot keep papering over mistakes of unprincipled politics year after year. An unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities to stop the tragedy and mockery of Africa is of utmost importance, ” President Museveni stated.
The president further said that barring any other illegitimate aim in causing instability, the apparent sticky issue of the time required to implement the merging of warring factions into the National Army, is one that can be determined scientifically, considering known and, or, agreed upon parameters such as health, education, training or age of personnel.
Museveni told the delegates that Sudan does not belong to either of the fighting groups, but to the people of Sudan. The ultimate arbitration on political issues and determination of governance should be brought back to the people in an election.
The meeting was attended by Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), Ismail Omar Guelleh(Djibouti) and chaired by the Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr Workneh Gebeyehu.
Background
The Sudanese army said Saturday that paramilitaries attacked its bases in Khartoum and elsewhere, shortly after the paramilitary said their camps were attacked by the regular army.
“Fighters from the Rapid Support Forces attacked several army camps in Khartoum and elsewhere around Sudan,” army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah told the media.
“Clashes are ongoing and the army is carrying out its duty to safeguard the country.”
Sudan’s paramilitaries later said they were in control of several key sites following fighting with the regular army Saturday, including the presidential palace in central Khartoum.
In a statement, the Rapid Support Forces said it had taken “full control” of the presidential palace as well as the airports in Khartoum and Merowe in the north of the country.
