Conflict in Sudan: DA welcomes DIRCO’s evacuation but calls for stronger South African diplomacy
25 April 2023
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pleased to note that an evacuation operation by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South African nationals who have been trapped in Sudan since 15 April 2023, is underway. The DA furthermore extends its thanks to the Gift of the Givers for the critical role they have played in this evacuation.
Until early on Monday morning, South Africans stranded in the besieged capital of Khartoum were receiving limited communication from the Department on this operation, and we call on DIRCO to provide immediate confirmation to the public once evacuation is safely concluded.
The DA urges parties to the conflict to lay down their weapons and return to the negotiating table. We also call on DIRCO to step up and play its role in enacting South Africa’s own foreign policy to establish order, and foster the democratic processes necessary to elect and establish a stable government for the people of Sudan.
Like many other civil conflicts on the continent, the outbreak of violence in Sudan could have been mitigated had South Africa acted decisively at crucial junctures in the recent past. As a regional power, South Africa should be addressing the root cause of conflict, instead of acting too late to address the symptoms of the problem when violence erupts. Informed by one of the world’s most progressive Constitutions, South African foreign policy should be instrumental in promoting dialogue, democracy, and upholding the rule of law.