Why Canada is evacuating people from Sudan

Close to 30,000 people have fled so far due to fighting in the country

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains information about violence and death. Consider reading it with a trusted adult. It’s common to have an emotional reaction to the news.
Since April 15, two opposing sides have been in conflict in Sudan.
Sudan is a large country in northeastern Africa, with a population of about 45 million people.
On April 23, the Canadian government announced it was pulling its workers out of the country.
More than 1,600 Canadians remain in Sudan as food runs low and a crisis unfolds.
Learn why there is so much unrest in Sudan. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

The Canadian government is pulling its representatives out of Sudan and stopping their work in the country.

On April 23, Canadian diplomats were evacuated from Sudan, a country in northeastern Africa, because of concerns about safety.

This evacuation is the latest news in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where a power struggle between two military leaders has caused serious violence and unrest to spread over the last 10 days.

The situation in Sudan

In Sudan’s capital Khartoum and other nearby cities, millions of people are without power, internet, phone services and are trapped in their homes.

Graphic design by Philip Street/CBC

This is while explosions, gunfire and conflict erupt in the streets.

Much of Khartoum and the surrounding areas are running low on food supplies and hospitals are struggling to keep up with people’s needs.

Close to 30,000 people have fled fighting in the country to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Chad.

This building in Khartoum, Sudan, was damaged by the fighting. (Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

It’s believed there are nearly 1,600 Canadians in Sudan, according to Global Affairs Canada. That number is likely higher, according to a former Canadian diplomat who worked in Sudan.

Why is this happening?

Sudan is home to more than 45 million people. Throughout its history, the country has often been under military control.

The current violence is because two Sudanese armies and their leaders are battling for victory and control over the country.

The two leaders are: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhanand and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Fattah al-Burhan has been in control of the country’s army since 2019.

Hamdan Dagalo is the leader of an unofficial army called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, left, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Sudan at separate events in June 2019. (Image credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba and Ashraf Shazly/Getty Images)

More than 420 people, including 264 civilians, have been killed and more than 3,700 have been wounded in the fighting between the two sides, according to The Associated Press on April 24.

This current battle follows years of unrest, conflict and a food crisis in the country.

What is Canada doing?

Global Affairs Canada issued a statement on April 23 after pulling its workers out of the country.

It urged both sides to agree to a ceasefire, meaning to stop all battles for power, and instead talk about ways to create a “lasting peace.”

“Canada remains committed to supporting the people of Sudan in their desire to secure a democratic future and a peaceful transition to a civilian-led government,” the statement read.

In Toronto, members of the Sudanese Canadian community spoke out over the weekend, calling on the federal government to “do more” to help people trapped in Sudan.

Some Sudanese Canadians gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, on Sunday to call for an end to the war. (Image credit: Heather Waldron/CBC )

“Unfortunately for Sudanese Canadians currently trapped over there, they are hopeless, they are not able to evacuate,” Ashraf Ahmed, president of the Sudanese Canadian Community Association, told CBC News.

“They are running out of food supplies and no one knows what’s going to happen given the desperateness.”

“We hope that our government will do something to help,” he said.

On April 25, Global Affairs Canada told CBC Kids News that every Canadian registered as being in Sudan has been contacted and is being provided with information and advice.

The government is also looking at different options to help with departures from Sudan, including evacuations.

“We are coordinating flights with our friends and allied countries out of Sudan to neighboring countries,” said spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod.