Sudan on Monday ordered the expulsion of the directors of two British-based humanitarian organisations for their statements on the Darfur crisis.
The Humanitarian Affairs Commission said the program directors of Save the Children UK and Oxfam International had violated the laws on non-intervention in the country’s political, ethnic or sectarian issues.
”Given the fact that your organisation has violated these laws, you are hereby informed to leave the country within 48 hours as of today, the 29th of November,” said the letters, signed by Abdel Khaliq Al -Hussein, acting commissioner for humanitarian action. The commission is a department of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
An Oxfam spokeswoman at the Oxford, England, headquarters confirmed the expulsion.
”Oxfam can confirm reports that their country program manager for North Sudan has been asked to leave the country. We are seeking further clarification on this matter,” Amy Barry said.
In Khartoum, the Save the Children country director refused to comment.
The letter of expulsion said the groups violated a law on voluntary work in Sudan that calls for volunteers to refrain from any activities of political, ethinic or sectorial nature.
The expulsions stemmed from statements issued by the groups earlier this month about the increase in violence in Darfur.
”The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs views the statements issued by those two organisations as sending signals of support to the outlaws and rebels to for continuation of the war two organisations working in Darfur,” said a statement published by the official Sudan News Agency. – Sapa-AP