British efforts to evacuate its embassy staff from Sudan over the weekend have thwarted efforts to save citizens of other countries, senior German political sources have told the BBC. They allege British forces landed in Sudan without the permission of the Sudanese military – when other European nations hoped to transport citizens to safety by plane. Germany, among others, planned to use the airport north of Khartoum to carry out further evacuation operations.
However, according to sources, the “unannounced presence of British troops” angered the Sudanese military to the point of denying access to the facility.
According to one source, when landing without permission, the British had to pay their troops before leaving. And negotiations to use the airport meant that German rescuers “took at least half a day” in what at the time was seen as a very small chance.
The UK Department of Defense disclaims responsibility for any delays. In a statement, a spokesman said: ‘It is inaccurate to suggest that British efforts to evacuate embassy staff from Sudan last weekend slowed down German plans.
“Operating in such complex circumstances will always come with challenges, but we have worked closely with our French, American and German partners, who have facilitated access to the stadium. flying throughout this week and of course we remain grateful to the Sudanese Armed Forces. “
‘We are grateful to be alive’ – Sudan’s British return Germany has now ended its rescue mission after safely transporting more than 700 people on six flights from the airport north of Khartoum, which the UK currently uses for evacuation operations.
About 200 of those taken to safety are German citizens, and the rest are from 30 other countries, including the UK.
The relief and excitement in Berlin as his campaign ended with relative success has cooled defense officials’ anger, but military leaders will remain “not amused”.
Even Defense Minister Boris Pistorius could not resist a stab. Asked why the UK was trying to get its staff out of the embassy on Saturday, when German flights only start on Sunday, Mr Pistorius replied: “How would I say it in terms of Diplomacy?
They ignore what the Sudanese have dictated.” And, in Berlin, there are lingering traces of disdain for the British government’s initial handling of the crisis.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock may not have mentioned the UK by name, but launched a thinly disguised attack on countries she alluded to have abandoned their citizens and focused solely on rescue efforts on the diplomatic staff.
“It is important for us that the evacuation of [Germans], unlike other countries, involves not only our diplomatic staff, but all Germans on the ground and our partners. their.”
