Sudans President Omar al-Bashir says he wants all international aid groups out of the country within a year, BBC online reports Monday.
Sudan has already expelled 13 large foreign agencies, mostly from Darfur. Mr Bashir accuses them of spying for the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
The United Nations said the expulsions had left millions at risk of a humanitarian crisis.
Speaking to a rally of security forces in the capital, Khartoum, the president said: – Within a year, we don’t want to see any foreign aid group dealing with a Sudanese citizen. If they want to bring relief, let them drop it at airports or seaports. Let the national organisations deal with our citizens.
The move could affect the work of more than 70 organisations operating in Darfur and other strife-torn areas. Later, State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun said that the order would not affect UN agencies.
