As fighting continues in Sudan, thousands of Sudanese citizens are stranded in the war zone, unable to get out. This is due to the destruction of their passports by foreign embassies during the hasty evacuation of diplomats. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum destroyed passports on security grounds, as it was standard operating procedure during these types of situations. The French Embassy also destroyed passports on security grounds.
The decision to destroy passports was gut-wrenching for American officials who realized it would hinder Sudanese citizens from fleeing. It was practically impossible to operate in Khartoum after the first shots were fired, making it too dangerous to even reach an office, much less hand out passports.
The Chinese Embassy provided some relief by posting a phone number online for visa applicants to retrieve passports. Other embassies are offering to help visa applicants left behind, but many are still stuck in the war zone with no way out.
The destruction of passports has left many Sudanese feeling abandoned and frustrated. It is a reminder of the importance of a passport, which can be a lifesaving piece of property.