The shrinking security window is now closed: Canada is ending its air evacuations from Sudan, although an estimated 230 Canadians and permanent residents still need help from the federal government to leave the country, which has been embroiled in fighting for the past 16 days.

At a news conference Sunday morning, National Defense Minister Anita Anand confirmed that two Canadian planes left Sudan on Saturday with 205 people, including 60 Canadians, on board.

Along with those that took place on Thursday and Friday, Canada will have conducted six extraction flights in Sudan. In all, as of Sunday morning, about 400 Canadians and permanent residents have managed to leave the country, whether on those flights or otherwise.

However, due to the “volatile, dangerous and unpredictable” safety conditions near the Wadi Seidna airfield from which the Canadian plane took off, Minister Anand confirmed that no further flights were planned at this time.

“However, our work is not done and the Canadian government is working with its allies to find other ways for its citizens to leave the country,” she said.

The government is paying particular attention to Port Sudan, where the situation could allow evacuation operations to be carried out by sea and land. Two Canadian Navy vessels, HMCS Montreal and MV Asterix, are always stationed nearby, ready to intervene if necessary.

Canada is also considering the option of joining bus convoys organized by its allies, including the United States, although this route has some risks to consider.

“Evacuation on the street from [la capitale] Khartoum takes 30 hours and poses several risks along the way, so not everyone can do this,” said Sébastien Beaulieu, director general and chief security officer of Global Affairs Canada.

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Wayne Eyre, nonetheless confirmed that the United States had offered places for Canadians stuck in the convoys in Sudan. Two trips have already managed to leave the country, “several” are planned.

Even if Canadian flights are grounded, Minister Anand assured that the federal government will use any means necessary to offer assistance to the 230 Canadians who have told the government they need assistance or information.

“Our top priority remains the safe return of our compatriots to Canada. We continue to work hard to achieve this,” she said.

Pretty in the field

In addition, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly will be in Kenya over the next few days to coordinate Canada’s response to the crisis in Sudan.

In particular, the minister must meet people who have been evacuated from the country, as well as diplomatic personnel who were working there until the clashes began.

“Kenya has played a key role during this crisis – responding to the humanitarian needs created by the conflict in Sudan and helping to guide efforts towards a peaceful solution,” he said.^Me Joly in an email sent to on Saturday The Canadian Press.

M^Me Joly is also expected to speak to humanitarian groups to better understand the needs of the people of Sudan as well as those who have fled to neighboring countries during these times of crisis.

She also plans to meet with former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the country’s only civilian leader for decades, who was ousted in a coup in 2021.

According to the Bureau M^Me Joly, the minister’s trip is similar to her visit to Poland shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Arrival of humanitarian aid

For 16 days, fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group, has left 528 dead and 4,500 injured in Sudan, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

A plane carrying eight tons of medical supplies landed in Sudan on Sunday to help the country’s destroyed hospitals.

More than two-thirds of hospitals in areas where fighting is taking place are out of order, according to a national medical association, citing shortages of medical supplies, staff, water and electricity.

The plane carrying the medical aid took off from Jordan on Sunday and landed in Port Sudan, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

The shipment, which includes anesthetics, bandages and other surgical supplies, is enough to treat more than 1,000 people injured in the conflict, the ICRC said.

With Dylan Robertson and Associated Press

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