US Begins Evacuating Staff From Sudan

The United States has begun the evacuation of staff from its embassy in Sudan. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum said it has permitted non-essential staffers to leave Sudan amid the threat of a crackdown by President Omar al-Bashir, who the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered to be arrested on war crimes.

Diplomatic sources said the departure of embassy staffers began on Tuesday.

“The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum until further notice,” the U.S. embassy said.

Mr. al-Bashir has warned of the expulsion of diplomats in wake of the ICC warrant. Most Western embassies, amid a threat by an Islamic coalition to kill 250 people, have increased security.

The United States urged Americans not to visit Sudan. The embassy, citing the assassination of two staffers in January 2008, reported “terrorist threats” against U.S. and European interests.

“The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Sudan and recommends that American citizens defer all travel to Sudan due to uncertain security conditions following the expulsion of NGOs (non-government organizations) as well as harassment of humanitarian aid workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, and Westerners in general,” the embassy said.

The embassy said the al-Bashir regime has seized the finances and assets of foreign and local NGOs as well as the passports and laptop computers of staffers. Mr. al-Bashir has also been organizing anti-Western protests.

“There is a continuing possibility that ongoing protests may encourage violent action against Europeans and Americans,” the embassy said. “U.S. citizens should be prepared to leave Sudan in the event of an emergency, given the volatile political/security environment.”

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com