“The situation in Sudan is critical,” Johann Wadephul told the editorial network Germany (RND, Friday). “It must be our top priority that we bring our nationals, including the embassy staff, to safety and evacuate them as quickly as possible.” The Bundeswehr has proven that it can carry out such difficult operations.
He added: “However, it is important that the federal government seeks close contact with parliament in such a critical phase, also on questions of a possible mandate. The previous information policy is unacceptable.” So far, there had been a secret briefing of the representatives of the Defense Committee. Furthermore, the developments in Sudan show “how the federal government is acting without a concept towards the entire North Africa/Maghreb region,” said the CDU politician. “Politics are patchwork and crisis-response in a region that directly affects our security interests. This is highly negligent.”
On Wednesday, an evacuation mission by the Bundeswehr was canceled at short notice for security reasons. However, both Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (both SPD) have emphasized that the goal of evacuating German and other Western citizens from the country, in which heavy fighting is now taking place, remains in place. According to RND information, as in the case of the evacuation mission from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, consideration is being given to submitting a corresponding mandate to the Bundestag for decision-making only afterwards.
