Sudan to restrict work of international humanitarian groups, UN missions

New measures proposed by the Khartoum government to control the activities of international humanitarian groups, including UN agencies in Sudan, will only permit national organisations to work in the field of rights in the country. In a statement via the state news agency SUNA, Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid said that the new rules were agreed upon at a meeting on Wednesday between President Omar Al Bashir, and the Ministers of the Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs, as well as the Director of the security apparatus. Hamid: “The meeting put forward detailed procedures for the work of foreign humanitarian groups in the capital Khartoum and the regions, ensuring that it is in line with government policies and strategy.” He added that “this move will mitigate potential disputes between these foreign groups and the government,” explaining that the new measures will be carried out by “committees in the various ministries”. This announcement comes in the wake of “procedural delays” surrounding work permits for 20 staff members of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; an issue which has prompted concern from the international community. File photo: In a repatriation operation, displaced Darfuris board busses provided by UNHCR (Albert González Farran/Unamid)Related: ‘Procedures delaying work permits for UNHCR staff in Darfur’: HAC (18 August 2013)USA: concerns on Khartoum’s ‘willingness’ to uphold Darfur treaty after UN restrictions (7 August 2013)Darfur relief operations hampered as 20 UNHCR staff expelled (6 August 2013)Sudan’s humanitarian aid commission announces new Darfur guidelines (1 March 2013)Foreign aid organizations to be expelled from Darfur (18 September 2012)