Sudanese police order all foreigners to leave Khartoum

Sudan's security authorities on Friday ordered all foreigners to leave the capital Khartoum and surrounding areas, giving them a two-week deadline to leave.

These orders come amid ongoing fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, and in conjunction with the resumption of regional and international efforts to resolve the conflict.

The Director of the Department of Foreigners and Immigration Control in Khartoum State, Police Colonel Nizar Khalil, gave all foreigners "15 days to leave Khartoum to preserve their lives during the war."

He pointed out that the decision was taken based on the directives of the Khartoum State Security Affairs Coordination Committee.

The police justified these orders by preserving the safety of foreigners who did not leave Khartoum, despite the fact that it has witnessed violent fighting since April 2023.

But reports have linked the departure orders to growing anti-foreign sentiment in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities following reports of foreign mercenaries within the ranks of the RSF.

A few days ago, more than 150 foreigners without valid residence papers were arrested.

Sudan has been witnessing violent fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023 due to political and security differences, resulting in about 13,900 deaths, more than 8 million displaced and refugees , and a deteriorating humanitarian situation, according to the United Nations.