Sudan refugee commission faces corruption and nepotism allegations
March 9, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Commission for Refugees (COR) is facing mounting accusations of administrative corruption and nepotism following the leak of documents detailing widespread irregularities in appointments and contracts.
The revelations have sparked significant resentment within the government body responsible for managing one of the country’s most sensitive issues.
Analysts and aid officials say the allegations threaten the institution’s internal stability and undermine the fragile trust between the Sudanese government and international donors.
Sudan is currently grappling with one of the most complex displacement crises in the world, making the management of the commission a critical priority for the international community.
Internal policy contradictions
Documents seen by Sudan Tribune indicate that Commissioner Nizar al-Tijani Ahmed Abu al-Qasim, who took office last July, has pursued policies that contradict interior ministry directives.
Those orders called for a halt to new contracts and the termination of existing ones to allow permanent civil servants to return to their posts.
Employees said they were surprised this month by a decision to reinstate contractors who had been absent from work for nearly two months.
One commission employee told Sudan Tribune the move bypasses the rights of veteran state employees who are more administratively entitled to those positions.
He added that the commissioner’s preference for contract-based hiring and nepotism sends a worrying signal to the international community.
Concerns over “militarization”
U.N. agencies, led by the UNHCR, rely on the continuity of trained national staff to ensure humanitarian programs and refugee protection meet international standards.
Beyond the obstruction of the civil service, documents also revealed the appointment of retired military officers as assistants to the commissioner in the states of Kassala, Gedaref, and White Nile.
Leadership roles in financial affairs, human resources, and protection have reportedly been assigned to individuals with personal or family ties to the leadership.
This has occurred while members of refugee-hosting communities are allegedly being denied fair representation in these roles.
Impact on donor relations
Staff members expressed disappointment at what they described as worsening corruption rather than the reform expected from a leadership with a military background.
One employee warned that placing individuals with military backgrounds in sensitive technical roles raises donor concerns about the “politicization of humanitarian work.”
He added that a lack of professional standards in appointments creates transparency issues regarding the management of financial and logistical resources provided by international organizations.
The commissioner’s office and the Ministry of Interior have not yet commented on the developments.