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Sudan fighting: EU ambassador assaulted in Khartoum home Sudan fighting: EU ambassador assaulted in Khartoum home
(about 2 hours later)
Aidan O'Hara became the EU ambassador to Sudan in 2022Aidan 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, Aidan O'Hara, has been assaulted at his home in Khartoum, which is gripped by deadly fighting between rival forces.
Mr Borrell did not reveal any details of the attack, but an EU spokeswoman said the ambassador was "OK". The Irish diplomat was not "seriously hurt", Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin has confirmed.
"Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities," Mr Borrell wrote on Twitter. Mr Martin described the attack as a "gross violation of obligations to protect diplomats".
Although Mr Borrell didn't name him, the EU's ambassador to Sudan is Aidan O'Hara, an Irish diplomat. Around 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured in three days of fighting, according to the UN.
The BBC has contacted Mr O'Hara's office. The city has seen air strikes, shelling and heavy small-arms fire.
Mr O'Hara trained as a lawyer in Dublin, before he started his career in Ireland's foreign office in 1986. Both the army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim to control key sites in Khartoum, where residents have been sheltering from explosions.
Before moving to Sudan, he worked as EU ambassador in Djibouti and Irish ambassador to Ethiopia and South Sudan. Mr Martin described the ambassador as an "outstanding Irish and European diplomat who is serving the EU under the most difficult circumstances".
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. "We thank him for his service and call for an urgent cessation of violence in Sudan, and resumption of dialogue," he said.
She said they were assessing their security measures. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that the security of diplomatic premises and staff was a "primary responsibility" of the Sudanese authorities.
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. EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP news agency the EU delegation had not been evacuated from Khartoum following the attack. Staff security was the priority and security measures were being assessed, she added.
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.
Sudan: The basicsSudan: 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 toppledSudan 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 RSFSince 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 cleansingThey 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. US state department spokesman John Kirby said there were currently no plans to evacuate US personnel, despite ongoing security concerns and the closure of Khartoum's airport.
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".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.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 SudanMore on Sudan
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What is going on in Sudan? A simple guideWhat is going on in Sudan? A simple guide
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Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday?Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday?
Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday?Watch: What's happened in Sudan since Saturday?
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Sudan crisisSudan crisis
SudanSudan
European UnionEuropean Union