U.S. and Other Diplomats in Sudan Are Attacked as Violence Flares
Smoke rises over buildings during clashes in Khartoum, Sudan. Photo: STRINGER/REUTERS By William Mauldin April 18, 2023 2:03 am ET Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called for a cease-fire in Sudan after speaking to two generals fighting for power there, and he said a U.S. diplomatic convoy in the country was fired upon. Mr. Blinken said no one in the U.S. convoy was injured. “This action was reckless, irresponsible and, of course, unsafe,” he said at a news conference in Karuizawa, Japan, after a meeting of the top diplomats from the Group of Seven nations. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Mr. Blinken spoke in separate calls earlier Tuesday with the two feuding generals, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de
Smoke rises over buildings during clashes in Khartoum, Sudan.
Photo: STRINGER/REUTERS
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called for a cease-fire in Sudan after speaking to two generals fighting for power there, and he said a U.S. diplomatic convoy in the country was fired upon.
Mr. Blinken said no one in the U.S. convoy was injured. “This action was reckless, irresponsible and, of course, unsafe,” he said at a news conference in Karuizawa, Japan, after a meeting of the top diplomats from the Group of Seven nations.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said Mr. Blinken spoke in separate calls earlier Tuesday with the two feuding generals, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto head of state, and his deputy, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Mr. Blinken called for a cease-fire in Sudan to allow for humanitarian assistance and told the two generals they are responsible for ensuring the safety of civilians and diplomatic personnel, Mr. Patel said.
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Subscribe NowAt the press conference, Mr. Blinken said early information suggested the attack on the U.S. convoy came from forces associated with the Rapid Support Forces, a militia led by Gen. Dagalo. He said he raised the issue with the general on their call.
The United Nations special envoy to Sudan said Monday that at least 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 wounded across Sudan since Saturday, when tensions between the two generals erupted into warfare.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, tweeted that the EU’s ambassador in Sudan was assaulted in his own residence. Mr. Borrell called the attack a gross violation of international law and said Sudanese authorities have a responsibility to keep diplomatic premises and staff secure.
The United Nations said it has temporarily halted many of its programs in Sudan. It said the borders of the country were closed, meaning employees can’t get into or out of Sudan.
Write to William Mauldin at [email protected]
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