Ballymena man among those caught in Sudan conflict
Clashes between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have led to civilian casualties
- Published
A man who lives in Ballymena, County Antrim has said he will remain in Sudan despite being caught up in the violent clashes in the country.
His niece Aia Mohamed said her uncle did not want to leave the capital ciy Khartoum because his wife and children were there.
He was visiting his family when the violence broke out.
Hundreds have died in fighting between rival military factions.
"His daughters are there, his wife is there and he is not leaving because he doesn't want to leave my aunt on her own, he doesn't want to leave my young cousins on their own," Ms Mohamed told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.
"He's point blank refusing... there are cases like that as well of people who just can't," she said.
"He's afraid...there's a kind of general lawlessness that's happening now as well where people's homes are getting looted."
Ms Mohamed, who was born in the Republic of Ireland, told the BBC her father had managed to escape to neighbouring Djibouti.
He is a retired obstetrician living in Castlebar in County Mayo and regularly visits his relatives in Sudan.
"Our entire family base is there... he just went to enjoy his holiday," she said.
He was due to return on Saturday but after the airport was attacked he was subsequently evacuated through the French embassy on Sunday.
"There are no good stories, there's no winners in this situation," Ms Mohamed said, explaining that electricity and water supplies are limited for those left behind.
"It's absolutely terrifying."
About 50 Irish citizens have been evacuated from Sudan so far.
About 150 Irish citizens who have been in contact with the Irish authorities since the violence began
The 50 Irish evacuees left on French and Spanish planes, as part of a joint European Union effort to aid EU citizens who are stranded.
It is believed they were among about 150 Irish citizens who have been in contact with the authorities in Dublin since the violence began.
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin thanked France and Spain for the successful evacuations.
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Violent clashes have been taking place in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum between the regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
There had been some hope that talks could resolve the situation but these never happened.
Mr Martin added that the Irish government was "doing everything we possibly can" to secure the evacuation of the remaining Irish people from Sudan.
On Sunday, it was announced that members of the Irish Defence Forces were being deployed to help with the process.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that up to 12 defence personnel will be involved in the deployment.
Meanwhile, a small British military reconnaissance team is in Sudan to assess evacuation options.
The government said it was looking at "every single possible option" to get UK citizens out.
Sudan: Sounds of bombing and shelling ring out in Khartoum
The Irish government has advised the remaining Irish citizens in Sudan "to shelter in place and follow local restrictions" unless they get updated information from the Irish embassy in Kenya.
More than 1,000 European Union citizens had been taken out of Sudan, according to an update from the EU's foreign policy chief on Monday morning.
A growing list of countries have evacuated people from Sudan
Sudan: The basics
Sudan is in north-east Africa and has a history of instability: The military toppled long-time leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after mass protests
It then overthrew a power-sharing government in 2021, putting two men at the helm: The head of the army and his deputy, who is also the head of a paramilitary group called the RSF
They disagree on how to restore civilian rule to Sudan: The RSF leader claims to represent marginalised groups against the country's elites but his forces were accused of ethnic cleansing
UNSUNG HEROES: How food and medicines are being delivered
SIMPLE GUIDE: What is going on in Sudan?
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