The armed clashes between the army and para-military in Sudan have claimed the life of an Indian working there. He was hit by a stray bullet and the Indian Embassy there was in touch with his family and the medical authorities to make further arrangements.
So far, 56 people including the Indian have died and more than 600 injured in violence.
“It has been reported that Albert Augestine, an Indian national working in a Dal Group Company in Sudan who got hit by a stray bullet yesterday succumbed to his injuries,” a tweet from the Indian Embassy in Sudan on Sunday read.
The Embassy said they are in touch with Augestine’s family and medical authorities to make further arrangements.
The 48-year-old hailed from Nellipara village in Kannur district, Kerala. He was working as a security manager with a firm in Sudan. He reportedly retired from the Army six years ago and went to Sudan last year.
Violence flared up in Sudan on Saturday after weeks of deepening tensions between military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his number two, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, over the planned integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular army.In the backdrop of clashes between the army and the para-military in Sudan, Indians living there on Saturday were advised to remain indoors by the Indian Embassy.
“In view of reported firings and clashes, all Indians are advised to take utmost precautions, stay indoors and stop venturing outside with immediate effect. Please also stay calm and wait for updates,” a tweet from the Indian Embassy in Khartoum read.
The caution was sounded following explosions and gunfire in the capital city as paramilitaries and the regular army traded attacks on each other’s bases. Explosions and gunfire rang out on the deserted streets of Khartoum, according to witnesses, after the paramilitaries said they were in control of the presidential place, Khartoum airport and other vital facilities.
The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said on Sunday at least 56 civilians had died and over 595 had been injured in the clashes. Out of this, in the capital city of Khartoum, 25 people including 17 civilians have lost their lives. Both Sudan’s military and paramilitary forces have blamed each other for escalating and initiating the violence.
The RSF has claimed that its forces have control over key areas in Khartoum, including the army chief’s residence, the presidential palace and three airports.Attacks near many other important areas have been reported including army headquarters, the defence ministry and the state TV stations.
While the SAF has refuted the RSF’s claim, the armed forces have also claimed that they have attacked RSF bases. While there is no electricity in many parts of Sudan and people have been encouraged to stay inside their houses amid heightened tensions, other countries have been affected by the ongoing crisis.
A Saudi passenger plane which was supposed to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia was subjected to gunfire before it landed in Riyadh. “It has been confirmed that all members of the aircraft’s cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan,” the airlines said in a statement. Countries worldwide have urged the two groups to call a ceasefire and de-escalate the tensions within the country.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the violence and tweeted, “I condemn the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces & the Sudanese Armed Forces in Sudan. I’m engaging with the AU and leaders in the region & reaffirm the commitment of the @UN to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore a democratic transition.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement on Sunday, said, “Dangerous fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Security Forces… threatens the security and safety of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudan’s democratic transition.”
He added, “The only way forward is to return to negotiations that support the Sudanese people’s democratic aspirations. We continue to remain in close touch with our Embassy in Khartoum and have full accountability of our personnel.”