SUDAN: Aid agencies react to expulsions
KHARTOUM, 5 March 2009 (IRIN) – The Sudanese Governments expulsion of 10 relief organisations from Africas biggest country will leave hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable civilians at risk, aid groups warned as they appealed to the government to review its decision.
Vice-President Ali Osman Taha said Wednesday that several relief groups had been asked to leave because “they are breaking the law of the country”.
Taha did not elaborate, but added that Sudan remained “committed to the implementation of the agreement we signed with the UN and other NGOs”.
The expelled organisations include Oxfam, CARE, MSF-Netherlands, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, Action contre la faim, Solidarités and CHF International.
Sources said the groups received notice to leave after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Omar el-Bashir on war crimes charges.
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