US Airlifts Diplomats From Sudan

Facts

• On Saturday, Pres. Joe Biden said the US military safely evacuated American diplomats and their families from war-torn Sudan.¹
• Following the evacuation, which involved more than 100 US troops from the Navy Seals and Army Special Forces, the US embassy in Khartoum is temporarily suspended.²
• Furthermore, the White House said it is not "safe enough" for the US government to evacuate or provide routine or emergency consular services to nearly 16K private US citizens in Sudan.³
• Meanwhile, the Russian mercenary group Wagner is accused of providing Sudan's Rapid Support Forces [RSF] with missiles to aid their fight against the country's army.⁴
• The deadly conflict between the head of Sudan's army Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF's leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — who joined forces to bring about the 2021 military coup — broke out on April 15 across the country.⁵
• According to the World Health Organization, fierce fighting between the two armed Sudanese commanders has killed over 400 and injured more than 3.5K.¹

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²BBC News, ³CNN, ⁴The Hill, and ⁵Business Insider.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by New York Times. While al-Burhan and Dagalo are primarily responsible for the continued cycle of violence in Sudan, the US government cannot wash its hands off the mess as it compelled civilian protesters in 2019 to form a flawed transitional government with the military. Moreover, the US continued to prioritize the voices of the armed over those seeking real political reform and representation — retreating from a long-awaited, decisive democratic push.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Their casual disregard for their fellow citizens' lives and clearly expressed democratic aspirations show that neither of the Sudanese commanders is fit to govern the country. Before outside powers, including Egypt and Russia, meddle in Sudan's affairs and add fuel to the fire, the US must pressure Sudan's military rulers to come to their senses, end the fighting, and allow for the promised transition to democracy.