The US countered claims by the head of the Sudanese army on Saturday that an evacuation of American citizens from Sudan would take place “in the coming hours” as fighting between two clashing military factions entered its second week and another ceasefire was shattered.

The army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is Sudan’s de facto leader, said in a statement on Saturday morning that his troops would facilitate the evacuation of diplomats and citizens from Britain, China, France and the US. But a couple of hours later, the US embassy in Sudan said in a security alert that “due to the uncertain security situation in Khartoum and closure of the airport, it is not currently safe to undertake a US government-coordinated evacuation of private US citizens”.

Regarding possible convoys travelling from Khartoum toward the city of Port Sudan, the embassy added: “The embassy is unable to assist convoys. Travelling in any convoy is at your own risk.”

A spokeswoman for France’s foreign ministry said she could not confirm the evacuation of any French diplomat or citizen. A representative from Britain’s foreign ministry issued a similar statement.

The contradictory statements were the latest sign of the chaos and confusion that have prevailed in Sudan, Africa’s third-largest nation, since fighting erupted on April 15 between two factions whose leaders are vying for control over the country.

At least 256 civilians have been killed in the clashes, and at least 1,454 have been wounded since the fighting broke out between forces led by two generals who are vying for control over the country.

Countless residents of Khartoum have fled the city, where bodies line the streets, to find refuge in safer states.

New York Times News Service