Close to 30,000 people have fled so far due to fighting in the country
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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.
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With files from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Desmond Brown/CBC News
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
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