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| Sudan fighting: EU ambassador assaulted in Khartoum home | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Aidan O'Hara became the EU ambassador to Sudan in 2022 | |
| The EU's ambassador in Sudan has been assaulted in his home in Khartoum, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has said. | The EU's ambassador in Sudan has been assaulted in his home in Khartoum, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has said. |
| Mr Borrell did not reveal any details of the attack, but an EU spokeswoman said the ambassador was "OK". | |
| "Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities," Mr Borrell wrote on Twitter. | |
| Although Mr Borrell didn't name him, the EU's ambassador to Sudan is Aidan O'Hara, an Irish diplomat. | Although Mr Borrell didn't name him, the EU's ambassador to Sudan is Aidan O'Hara, an Irish diplomat. |
| The BBC has contacted Mr O'Hara's office. | The BBC has contacted Mr O'Hara's office. |
| Mr O'Hara trained as a lawyer in Dublin, before he started his career in Ireland's foreign office in 1986. | |
| Before moving to Sudan, he worked as EU ambassador in Djibouti and Irish ambassador to Ethiopia and South Sudan. | |
| EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP "the security of staff is our priority" and that the EU delegation has not been evacuated from Khartoum following the attack. | |
| She said they were assessing their security measures. | |
| Mr Borrell said the attack on Mr O'Hara was a "gross violation of the Vienna Convention", a United Nations (UN) agreement that outlines the protection of diplomats working in other countries. | |
| Monday was Sudan's third day of fighting between the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). | |
| Both sides claimed to control key sites in Khartoum, where residents sheltered from explosions. | Both sides claimed to control key sites in Khartoum, where residents sheltered from explosions. |
| Sudan: The basics | |
| Sudan is in north-east Africa and has a history of instability: It fell under military rule in 2019, when long-time leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled | |
| Since then, two men have been in charge: 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 | |
| More than 1,800 civilians and fighters have been injured according to Volker Perthes, the United Nations' envoy for Sudan. He told reporters on Monday that around 185 people had died. | More than 1,800 civilians and fighters have been injured according to Volker Perthes, the United Nations' envoy for Sudan. He told reporters on Monday that around 185 people had died. |
| The conflict has seen numerous air strikes, artillery fire and heavy gunfire in civilian neighbourhoods. | |
| The US State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said there were currently no plans to evacuate US personnel, despite the because of ongoing security concerns and the closure of Khartoum's airport. | |
| But he urged all Americans to treat the situation "with the utmost seriousness". | |
| The conflict has forced many civilians to shelter in their homes amid fears of a prolonged conflict that could land the country in deeper chaos. | |
| More on Sudan | |
| The two generals fighting over Sudan's future | |
| What is going on in Sudan? A simple guide | |
| 'I thought we'd die' - Sudan patients cry for help | |
| Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday? | |
| Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday? | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Sudan crisis | Sudan crisis |
| Sudan | Sudan |
| European Union | European Union |