"The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency
personnel and family members at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum until further
notice," the U.S. embassy said.
The United States urged Americans to not visit Sudan. The embassy,
citing the assassination of two staffers in January 2008, reported
"terrorist threats" against U.S. and European interests.
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to
Sudan and recommends that American citizens defer all travel to Sudan due to
uncertain security conditions following the expulsion of NGOs
[non-government organizations] as well as harassment of humanitarian aid
workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, and Westerners in
general," the embassy said.
The embassy said the Bashir regime has seized the finances and assets of
foreign and local NGOs as well as the passports and laptop computers of
staffers. Bashir has also been organizing anti-Western protests.
"There is a continuing possibility that ongoing protests may encourage
violent action against Europeans and Americans," the embassy said. "U.S.
citizens should be prepared to leave Sudan in the event of an emergency,
given the volatile political/security environment."
