Sudan: ‘Grave risk to life’ in evacuating Britons, minister warns

A UK minister has warned MPs that no evacuation option to get British nationals out of Sudan will come “without grave risk to life”.

Andrew Mitchell was updating the Commons on the current status in the African country, where clashes continue between the army and paramilitary forces, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands injured.

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There are understood to be around 4,000 British passport holders in Sudan and the minister appealed to all of them to register their details with the Foreign Office, saying their “safety and security remains the upmost priority” for the government.

But as those on the ground wait to hear an update on how they can get out of the country, the Africa minister advised them to “stay indoors where possible”.

He added: “We are now asking British nationals to exercise their own judgement about their circumstances, including whether to relocate, but they do so at their own risk.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held an emergency COBRA meeting this afternoon as officials continued to discuss plans to get British nationals to safety.

A Downing Street source said: “The PM chaired another COBRA this afternoon – the seventh COBRA meeting on Sudan to date – focused on support for British nationals remaining in country.

“We continue to explore all options to ensure safe passage for our citizens, and the prime minister is working closely with the foreign secretary, defence secretary, home security, deputy prime minister and other ministers to find solutions.”

Sky News also understands a further COBRA meeting will be held this evening.

On Sunday, diplomats and their families were evacuated from the capital Khartoum, but questions have been raised over why other nationals have not been helped yet.

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What is happening in Sudan?

Labour’s shadow foreign affairs minister Lyn Brown said thousands of people trapped in Sudan “will be frightened and desperate to leave, but uncertain of their next move or the assistance the government will be able to offer”, adding: “What they need to hear is a clear plan.”

She pointed to countries, including France and Italy, who have already evacuated people, and said it “raises some really serious questions” about why the UK hasn’t done the same.

Ms Brown added: “While we maintain backing for unified international pressure for a permanent ceasefire, we are clear the government should be evacuating as many British nationals as possible, as quickly as possible.”

Mr Mitchell said the government was “looking at every single possible option” for extracting them, but the situation was “very complex”.

He said: “Movement around the capital remains extremely dangerous and no evacuation option comes without grave risk to life.

“Khartoum airport is out of action. Energy supplies are disrupted. Food and water are becoming increasingly scarce. Internet and telephone networks are becoming difficult to access.”

The minister said diplomats were evacuated first because “we believe they were in extreme danger – fighting was going on either side of the embassy”.

He added: “We have a duty to all British citizens, of course, but we have a particular duty of care to our own staff and diplomats.”

Sky News understands a team of British troops have flown into a port in eastern Sudan on a reconnaissance mission.

But defence editor Deborah Haynes said it did not mean any rescue was imminent as the government is working out what are the best options were.