Gov’t Renews Commitment to Protect Indonesian Citizens in Conflict-Torn Sudan

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivers a press statement in Labuan Bajo, Monday (05/08) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

In light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has once again reinforced the Government’s commitment to protect Indonesian citizens in the country.

“We will continue improving and strengthening protection for Indonesian citizens,” the President said in his press statement at Meruorah Hotel, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara province, Monday (05/08).

For the record, the Government has previously managed to evacuate 969 Indonesian citizens from Sudan following an armed conflict that gripped the African country.

“Amid the difficulties we faced there, the Government succeeded in evacuating Indonesian citizens from Sudan. As of today, we have evacuated 969 Indonesian citizens, with 936 people safely back home and 33 people already in the safe place outside Sudan,” the President added.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi in her press statement in Jakarta Friday (05/05) explained that the evacuation was designed in a robust way, adding that the evacuation was executed in a “silent but swift operation.”

“Why do we always opt for a silent operation? Because it is all for the safety and security of the Indonesian citizens that we will evacuate as the local situation is very erratic, uncertain, and life-threatening for our citizens,” Retno added.

An armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023. It started when clashes broke out in western Sudan, in the capital city of Khartoum, and in the Darfur region.

As of 25 April, at least 559 people had been killed and more than 4,000 others had been injured in the conflict. (FID/UN) (AY/MEP)