From Sudan, North Africa, where the situation has deteriorated due to civil war, the Japanese government has begun the evacuation of Japanese residents by land. Evacuation through self-defense aircraft is also imminent.
According to Japanese public NHK and Jiji News Agency on the 24th, Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, said at a press conference on the afternoon of the same day, “This time, we are going to Djibouti for the quick and safe evacuation of those who wish to leave (from Sudan). “As soon as adjustments are made, we will dispatch the Self-Defense Force units, including C130 transport planes and C2 transport aircraft, which are waiting to be moved to Sudan to begin transportation activities,” he said.
He also emphasized that he had not received information that the lives and bodies of about 60 Japanese residing in Sudan were affected. That means there are no injuries.
“As the government, we intend to continue to closely cooperate with the countries concerned and unite with those concerned to make every effort to respond,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno.
In particular, NHK announced that the French government sent an air force to evacuate 388 people from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, to Djibouti on the same day.
However, the specific number of foreign nationals was not disclosed.
A total of three SDF dispatched by the Japanese government to Djibouti, a neighboring country of Sudan to evacuate its citizens, arrived on the 23rd, including a C130 transport plane, a C2 transport plane, and a KC767 aerial refueling/transport plane.
About 60 Japanese residing in Sudan are moving from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, to the northeastern city of Port Sudan by land. According to Japanese government officials, UN staff are accompanying the evacuation of Japanese overland.
Japanese who have moved to Port Sudan are expected to try to escape from Sudan by utilizing the Self-Defense Forces dispatched to Djibouti.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida entered the prime minister’s official residence on the morning of the 24th and told reporters, “Concerning the confrontation between Sudanese citizens, we are paying close attention and responding in light of the current local situation. We are receiving reports from time to time,” he said.
Prime Minister Kishida emphasized, “Since it is about the safety of our own people, we will refrain from going into detail (mention).” He added, “We will announce from time to time what can be announced.”
A total of 370 integrated mission units, including the Air Self-Defense Force and the Ground Self-Defense Force, are in charge of the evacuation of Japanese. The Ministry of Defense also dispatched a liaison coordinator to Djibouti to cooperate with the armed forces of each country and collect information necessary for reviewing the evacuation plan.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.