The Canadian government continues its efforts to evacuate Canadians and permanent residents stranded in Sudan as fighting continues between government armed forces and the paramilitary "Rapid Support Forces."

However, the deteriorating safety conditions in the Sudanese capital Khartoum made it necessary to suspend flights starting Saturday night.

Yesterday, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand confirmed in a press conference that Canada has suspended air evacuation operations from Sudan due to dangerous conditions on the ground.

Given the serious conditions and in line with decisions made by our allies, there are no further Canadian flights scheduled to depart from Wadi Seidna Airport.

Anand added that two Canadian planes left Sudan on Saturday carrying 205 people, including 60 Canadians.

Between Thursday and Saturday, Canada evacuated 550 people of various nationalities from Sudan on six flights using two military transport planes of the "Hercules C-130" type belonging to its armed forces.

As of yesterday morning, about 400 Canadians and permanent residents in Canada had left Sudan on flights conducted by Canada or its international partners.

The Minister of National Defence added that upcoming evacuation efforts will take place from the city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, about 800 kilometers from Khartoum.

Anand pointed out in this context the possibility for Canadians still on Sudanese soil to join evacuation convoys organized by the United States.

These convoys transport people from Khartoum to Port Sudan where they can leave Sudan by sea.

There are two Canadian ships near Port Sudan. "These two ships will remain in place in the short term to develop an evacuation plan," Anand said.

However, Sébastien Pouliot from Global Affairs in Ottawa noted that traveling by land from Khartoum is not always the best option.

"Often these are trips that take more than 30 hours, and this is not possible for everyone," Pouliot said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is currently visiting Kenya in East Africa to coordinate Canada's response to the crisis in Sudan.

"Kenya has played a leading role during this crisis with its response to the humanitarian needs resulting from the conflict in Sudan and its contribution to guiding efforts toward a peaceful solution," Minister Joly said.