Sudan crisis: Thousands try to flee fighting between RSF and SAF in Khartoum

Meanwhile, thousands of foreign nationals boarded planes and ships to be evacuated from the country as it descends into civil war.

The warring factions of the country’s military rulers – the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – agreed to the extension of a ceasefire, allowing those caught in the country to escape.

But it was little respite for locals who were faced with the choice of either hiding inside their homes or joining long queues of buses at the border.

Those attempting to cross into neighbouring Egypt were being charged astronomical amounts for the privilege.

One Khartoum resident, Hosna, told the BBC to get a bus from the Sudanese capital to the border cost $600 per person, when normally the fare is around $38.

“Sudan is completely destroyed. They [the fighters] are targeting people in their homes,” she said.

And to get across the border, people are told only those on buses with special permits are allowed. No one can get across on foot.

One Sudanese family spoke to the BBC from the border town of Wadi Halfa.

Fadi Atabani said his family was trapped.

“There are thousands of people here. There is no accommodation. People are sleeping in schools or [on] mattresses,” he said, adding the cost to get a bus was prohibitive.

“On a normal day the cost of hiring a bus is $US3000 [$A4500]. As of today people are paying $US40,000 [$A60,000] to charter a bus to the border – only 30km,” he said.

“Who has that sort of money? The banks were closed, ATM machines are not working,” the 53-year-old said.

According to the United Nations, so far at least 20,000 people have escaped into neighbouring Chad, 4000 into South Sudan, 3500 into Ethiopia and 3000 into the Central African Republic. But the global body has warned as many as 270,000 people could become refugees if the fighting continues, leading to a worldwide humanitarian crisis.

Foreign nationals evacuated as fighting shows no end

Thousands of foreign nationals in Sudan were evacuated out of the North African country over the weekend.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong kept Australians there updated on Twitter with details for getting to safety.

“Australians wanting to leave Sudan should strongly consider leaving as soon as possible,” she wrote. “More than 150 Australians have safely left Sudan.”

Other countries including UAE, UK, China and the US also helped their citizens to get out.

On Saturday, Britain said it had managed to evacuate 1888 people on 21 flights out of Sudan.

China also said it had evacuated 940 Chinese citizens and 231 foreign personnel from Sudan to Saudi Arabia.

“In order to protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens in Sudan, the Chinese military has been ordered to evacuate Chinese personnel in Sudan,” Senior Colonel Tan Kefei said.

US nationals were also helped with a convoy organised for Saturday to Port Sudan, though it came amid anger from Americans who said they felt “disappointed” by their government for taking too long to organise the evacuation.

Before news of the US convoy, American teacher Deana Welker told CNN she was disappointed in the response from the US government. She managed to evacuate from Sudan with help from the French Embassy.

“I can’t even express how disappointing it was that it was another country’s military and embassy got us out and we were just lucky enough to be a part of that group,” she said. “I mean if we hadn’t, who knows? It bothers me because they say, ‘Oh it’s too dangerous, we can’t get there,’ but all these other countries are getting there and getting their people out? So I don’t understand that.”

Looting rampant as nowhere is safe

Meanwhile, there were reports of continuing heavy fighting in Khartoum, despite the ceasefire.

Witnesses reported fighting between the SAF and the RSF on Saturday, including a major battle involving heavy weapons and armed vehicles in Khartoum.

The army has said it controls most of Sudan’s territory and is defeating a large RSF deployment in Khartoum, where residential areas have been turned into war zones.

So far, since April 15 when fighting began, 512 people have been killed and over 4200 wounded – though it’s likely the true number is higher.

Now, on top of the fighting, looting is becoming a major problem through the country as residents struggle to find food, water and fuel.

For the first time since the fighting began, Sudanese police have been sent out in a bid to stop the looting.

“We are deploying forces from the Central Reserve Forces in the main streets and markets to maintain security in Khartoum,” Sudan’s Ministry of Interior said in a post shared on its official Facebook account.

Locals have said looting is becoming a major problem in markets and shops.

Khartoum resident Hatem Awadallah told CNN that he had been the victim of looting by members of the RSF.

“I woke up at 1.30am to the sound of a Kalashnikov weapon that was placed on my head and a group of armed RSF men … demanding that I give them any amount of money – or I would be killed,” he said.

He added that his 83-year-old mother and family had also been threatened with guns by thieves who demanded money.

The family gave the looters $21,000 while thieves also stole another $7500 and destroyed two iPhones and an iPad by shooting them.

In the Darfur region, in the west of the country, a hospital in El Geneina was also looted, amid reports of widespread theft, burning and destruction of property.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety of healthcare staff, and our teams in West Darfur. Many people are trapped in the midst of this deadly violence,” a statement from Medecins Sans Frontieres said.

“They fear risking their safety and lives trying to reach the rare health facilities that are still functional and open,” it said.

“We are incredibly worried about the impact this violence is having on people who have already lived through waves of violence in the previous years. Violence prevents people from seeking the medical care they desperately need. The humanitarian and medical needs are immense.”

Civilian government key to peace

Fighting began in the African country on April 15 between the RSF and the SAF. It started after the RSF was redeployed around the country, with the move seen as a threat by the SAF. Days of tension then erupted into violence. Now, unless a diplomatic solution is found, the country is fast descending into civil war.

Neighbouring South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan in 2011, has offered to host peace talks. Israel has also made the offer.

Countries globally see a move to a civilian government – instead of the current military government – as the best way to secure any kind of lasting peace in the region.

But whether that would be amenable to the military rulers in unknown.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “We continue to press all diplomatic levers to secure a long-term ceasefire and end the bloodshed in Sudan. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.”

At an emergency session of the UN Security Council, secretary-general António Guterres paid tribute to those who had lost their lives or been injured in the conflict.

“It is incumbent on Sudanese leaders to put the interests of their people front and centre,” he said.

With the worry that a full-scale war could spread to neighbouring countries, Mr Guterres said it was “unbearable to contemplate”.

“This conflict will not, and must not, be resolved on the battlefield, with the bodies of Sudan’s children, women and men,” he said.

“[The Sudanese people] have made their wishes very clear. They want peace and the restoration of civilian rule through the transition to democracy.”