Italian citizens in Sudan: the first phase of the evacuation concluded yesterday

Italian citizens in Sudan: the first phase of the evacuation concluded yesterday

The first phase of the evacuation of Italian citizens from Sudan ended yesterday, 23 April 2023, hit in recent days by a violent armed conflict. Thanks to an operation coordinated byCrisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with defense assets and intelligence support, over 100 compatriots were secured, including diplomatic personnel.
With the flight of an Air Force C130 and a second flight of a Spanish AM400 they were transferred to Djibouti 105 Italian citizens and 31 foreigners, including Portuguese, Australian, Greek, British and Swedish citizens.

Since the first news of the clashes, on 15 April, the Farnesina had activated close coordination with the Presidency of the Council, the Ministry of Defense and the security agencies to monitor the situation and evaluate options to protect Italian citizens, who have been contacted individually by the Crisis Unit to check their conditions.

In the early hours of Sunday 23 April, the compatriots were brought together at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, Michele Tommasi. He coordinated the organization of the convoy that reached Wadi Seyydna airport, located about 30 km north of the Sudanese capital, the only air exit route as the international airport of Khartoum was unusable because it was damaged by the fighting.
In collaboration with other European and allied countries, an international airlift made it possible to reach the military base in Djibouti, where the compatriots will be hosted.

The repatriation will take place on Monday evening with an Air Force flight.

The minister Tajani he directly followed the planning and evacuation operation in close contact with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense.

“All the Italians who wanted to leave Sudan did so, they were transferred to Djibouti, some Emergency volunteers and some missionaries remained in the country”says the Foreign Minister arriving at the Foreign Affairs Council. He adds: “they will return to Italy with an air force flight around 18-30 pm at Ciampino airport. Everyone is fine, I want to thank those who participated in this difficult operation."

“It was a long weekend, we worked to take our people away from Sudan and it was a successful operation: hundreds of EU citizens are out of the country, more than a thousand people, I thank France and welcome the joint efforts of many countries. Now we must push for a truce, we cannot allow Sudan to implode because it would create earthquakes throughout Africa", says theHigh representative of EU foreign policy Josep Borrell.

“After a day of anxious waiting, all our compatriots in Sudan who asked to leave have been evacuated. With them there are also foreign citizens. Italy leaves no one behind. I want to thank everyone who participated in this very difficult operation, in the middle of a combat zone. My applause goes to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and the Farnesina Crisis Unit, to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, to Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, to the Chief of Defense Staff Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, to the commander of Covi, General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, to our ambassador to Sudan, Michele Tommasi, to the Security Services. On this occasion too, I want to renew my appeal for the end of the war, for the opening of negotiations that lead to a civilian-led government. Sudan needs peace”, this is the statement from the Prime Minister  Giorgia Meloni.