Congressman urges action to extend the ceasefire to extract U.S. citizens.
As warring factions make it hazardous to remain in Sudan, the State Department reports there is no official count of how many U.S. citizens may be in that nation, “because Americans are not required to register.” However, officials told Congressional staff last week there could be as many as 16,000 American citizens in the country, many of whom hold dual citizenships.
Though the U.K. foreign office has the British military evacuating persons with British passports who want to leave, the Pentagon says the situation in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, is too uncertain for Americans to be airlifted by the military.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “We’re going to do everything we can to help guide people, get them the information they need to get out safely, but it is not safe right now for another evacuation attempt that would actually put Americans in more danger, not less.” Embassy personnel were evacuated over the weekend.
Secretary of State Blinken said the warlords have agreed to a three-day ceasefire, and he has urged them to remain true to their word. Israel has offered to mediate between the warring factions in an effort to bring peace to the region.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas called for the United States to extract Americans during the ceasefire. He stated, “I am again hearing about Americans being left behind. It reminds me so much of the Afghanistan situation. I hope this is a very different scenario. I think getting extension on the cease-fire is going to be critical to saving these American lives, who are going to be really in harm’s way.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Blinken as he oversees the State Department’s response to events in Sudan.
- For Chairman McCaul as he heads the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
- For U.S. officials as they determine the number of U.S. citizens or dual-citizens remaining in Sudan.
Sources: Washington Examiner, Fox News, Jerusalem Post
