Hundreds of terrified Indian citizens are making frantic appeals to New Delhi for their immediate evacuation from Sudan amid escalating violence in the African nation, where electricity and food supplies are becoming scarce.
Sudan is witnessing renewed conflict after two generals — army chief and military ruler Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and commander of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Gen Mohamed Dagalo — started fighting over control of the country, which has left nearly 300 dead and more than 1,800 injured.
The armed conflict entered its fifth day on Wednesday amid efforts by global diplomats to bring it to an end.
The third-largest country in Africa is home for about 4,000 Indians, including 1,200 who settled in the country decades ago, according to official data.
One of them, Bhupendra, was at an iftar gathering last weekend when he first heard explosions.
“We are living in fear,” he told The National on the phone from Khartoum.
“It has not stopped since then … The bombings are happening now approximately 500 metres away from us. We couldn’t sleep last night due to the sounds.”
Bhupendra said that he could see fighter jets bombarding the area from his apartment.
Dozens of armoured vehicles were on the streets, leaving them stranded in their homes.
“Almost all Indians are facing the issues related to food, water, electricity, medicine. Some hotels are asking people to leave due to no resources or not being able to serve food,” he said.
Jayant Kewlani, 23, from central Madhya Pradesh state, arrived in Khartoum in March looking for work. He was meant to return home on April 20, but days before his flight the war broke out, leaving him stuck at a friend’s apartment.
“My home was at the centre of Khartoum and was close to the military base nearby. I had to leave and rush to my friend’s flat.
“From Sunday at 3am there has been no electricity. We are facing the problem of water and charging essential items like mobile phones. Groceries are almost over at stores. The situation is getting worse day by day,” he said.
The situation is better in some villages, but cases of looting and robbery have increased since the war, forcing shop owners to close their doors.
“I have lived here for over a year and it was always peaceful but since last week, the situation has changed … looting and robbery has started,” said Raj Sharma, a printing operator in the Omdurman area.
“There was no previous information on the war and the Indian embassy is asking us to wait but we want to go home as soon as possible,” he said.
Many have launched appeals to New Delhi to evacuate them or their relatives from the conflict zone, prompting the Indian embassy to set up a control room in Sudan.
“The situation is very, very scary there … I am appealing to the government to start the evacuation process and bring [my husband] home safely,” Ms Sheetal told The National.
Her husband works at a hotel in Khartoum and has been stranded with other guests since the violence broke out.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held talks on Tuesday with his UAE and Saudi counterparts, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss steps to help stranded citizens.
Mr Jaishankar had earlier said that the evacuation process was being held back by the continuing fierce fighting.
“Plans regarding them have to take into account a very complicated security scenario,” he said, when responding to criticism from an opposition leader over the delay in evacuations.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
