The ongoing fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Sudan’s capital Khartoum has resulted in a shocking incident where the Embassy of Pakistan was hit by three bullets. This happened after five days of intense fighting, which has caused significant damage to the Chancery building. In a statement released by the embassy, they condemned the attack as a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention, which holds the host government responsible for providing security to diplomatic missions.
The embassy has called on both parties to exercise restraint and urged the Sudanese government to deploy security personnel to ensure the protection and security of the embassy. They have also advised all Pakistanis in the area to stay at home and avoid unnecessary outgoings due to the deteriorating security situation. It is estimated that there are around a thousand Pakistanis in Khartoum.
The ongoing violence has resulted in the displacement of thousands of residents from the capital, and according to witnesses, there have been reports of bodies on the streets. Embassies have reported that the fighting has killed more than 270 civilians. The Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries and the army had agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire, but at the appointed time, shots were still heard throughout Khartoum.
Foreign diplomats have also been attacked, and the United Nations emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths has reported “attacks and sexual violence against aid workers.” Governments have started planning to evacuate their citizens, including many UN staff.
The violence began on Saturday between the forces of the two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo who commands the RSF. It followed a bitter dispute between them over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army – a key condition for a final deal aimed at restoring Sudan’s democratic transition.
The battles have damaged residential and commercial buildings, and civilians sheltering in their homes are becoming increasingly desperate, with dwindling food supplies, power outages, and a lack of running water. The situation is dire, and urgent action is required to restore peace and ensure the safety of all civilians and diplomatic missions in the area.
In conclusion, the Embassy of Pakistan in Sudan’s capital Khartoum was hit by bullets amid the ongoing fighting between the army and paramilitaries. This has resulted in significant damage to the Chancery building and raised concerns about the safety of diplomatic missions in Sudan. Urgent action is required to restore peace and ensure the safety of all civilians and diplomatic missions in the area.
