The US military has completed the evacuation of US embassy staff in Sudan, President Joe Biden said late Saturday, also calling for an end to “excessive” violence in the African nation where two rival leaders are fighting for the power.
Biden thanked the US troops who carried out the mission to remove the staff from the embassy in Khartoum, which was closed indefinitely.
The United States said there are currently no plans for the government to coordinate the evacuation of the estimated 16,000 Americans still in Sudan because the situation is too dangerous.
Biden said he has been receiving regular updates from his team on efforts to assist “to the extent possible” the Americans who remain in Sudan.
The around 70 staff members were airlifted from a landing zone at the embassy to an undisclosed location in Ethiopia, according to two US officials familiar with the mission.
The soldiers carried out the operation as fighting between two Sudanese commanders, which has already claimed more than 400 lives, has put the nation at risk of collapse and could have consequences far beyond its borders, entered its second week.
“I am proud of the extraordinary commitment of our embassy staff, who carried out their duties with courage and professionalism and epitomized America’s friendship and connection to the people of Sudan,” Biden said in a statement. “I am grateful for the unmatched skill of our service members in successfully moving them to safety.”
The president also thanked Djibouti, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia for their help with the mission.
Biden ordered the evacuation of embassy staff after receiving a recommendation on Saturday from his national security team, at a time when there was no end in sight to the fighting.
“This tragic violence in Sudan has already cost hundreds of innocent civilian lives. It is inconceivable and it must stop,” the president declared. “The parties to the conflict must implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, allow unrestricted humanitarian access and respect the will of the people of Sudan.”
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