Sudanese president warns remaining relief organizations
March 15, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — President Omer Al-Bashir on Sunday warned the remaining international humanitarian organizations in Sudan against “overstepping their mandate,” the same charge used as a pretext to expel 13 international aid agencies in the wake of the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Al-Bashir on March 4.
The relief groups provide for some 2.7 million people have fled their homes and lands in Darfur since major hostilities erupted approximately six years ago, in addition to more than a million more “conflict-affected” people. They are accused of exceeding their mandate as neutral providers of aid by passing information to the world court in a bid to defame Sudan.
“Any organization that does exceed its mandate has only to blame itself,” said the president. “Organizations that have been expelled had been working under the guise of humanitarian work for the implementation of the colonial agenda in the region.”
The Sudanese president made the remarks while addressing a meeting of national charities and voluntary organizations which the government is touting as a proper replacement for the ousted foreign groups.
Bashir announced that donations made by these organizations could fill 100 percent of the needs left by the departing aid agencies, which have warned, by contrast, that the expulsions will have dire consequences for conflict-affected civilians in Darfur and other areas of North Sudan.
Returning to a theme commonly voiced by ruling party figures, the Sudanese president also stressed the government’s commitment to aiding “voluntary return” of people displaced by the conflict, who mostly live concentrated in large urbanized camps near Darfur’s major towns and cities.
“I do not want the children of Darfur to remain in the IDP camps” said Bashir, who is sought by INTERPOL, the world’s largest international police organization, for his alleged role in coordinating a campaign of widespread, systematic attacks, pillage, rape, torture, murder, forcible transfer and extermination against civilian populations.
But earlier today the Sudanese government announced new protection measures for foreign aid workers in Darfur, following the abduction and release of three staff of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The foreigners are urged to remain in their headquarters in major towns. “There are security measures to protect organizations and their headquarters,” Hassabu Mohammed Abdel-Rahman, commissioner for humanitarian aid, told reporters in Khartoum.
“There will be coordination between the Sudanese Ministry of the Interior and the security agencies and the local governments of the three states in Darfur,” he added.
But another Sudanese official, who requested anonymity, said that the intelligence service itself had been responsible for the abduction of the MSF workers. The claim is unsubstantiated, but the kidnappers demanded no ransom, instead calling for suspension of the ICC warrant, a position held by the Sudanese government.
(ST)
Henry Makuei
Sudanese president warns remaining relief organizations
I have been trying to ignore our president’s perception on aid workers in Sudan’sDarfur region but it have come into attention that Mr. president is seriouse with his business, but my question is, does Bashir know that expulsion of aid workers will not stop him from indictment?, does Bashir know that if his government puts guns down and work hard for the betterment of Darfur people is it not a part of solving problem and a void indictment?
To me the expulsion of aid workers in Sudan is not part problem solving but a part of adding insultt to the anger because if aid workers are out of Sudan is the government going to help those refugees as president said? of cause know because Sudanese revenues are not enough to rely on even groups in the world sponsored by charites from around the world live a lone Sudan government that is not able to its employees monthly.
Mr. president’s initiative of taking aid workers responsilities is another way of creating war in Sudan because I know very well its budget to other regions like southern Sudan and eastern Sudan will not be upto date because it be commited to solve unsloveable Darfur issue.
I therefor, would like to give my opinion that aid workers should work in Sudan and mr president should turn from extremeism to be man of the people of Sudan.
tayeb M. Alhassan
Sudanese president warns remaining relief organizations
We are a sovereign independent country abided with all international agreements. We don’t interfere in others national affairs as well as we can’t accept others to interfere in our national affairs. All aid agencies have to be committed to handle aid service under our terms and conditions or else they will face deportation. Our president is fully supported to decide about any foreigner violates our country rules and regulations.
mamero
Sudanese president warns remaining relief organizations
TO ALL READERS;
I have agreed to what suggested by Henry Makuei pertaining the indictment of Omer Bashir and expelling 13 international aid agencies,however,sudan has been administred as an islamic state prior to Juba conference of 1947 where the Anglo-Egyptian were actually had trying to imposing what was known as sudan close ordernance which was adopted in 1920 for sudan border darmacation where as south sudan was self- reliance while north sudan remained as separate country,moreever,Ismail Azari tookover as head of the goventment when the British left the country,furthermore,the military regime tookover through mutiny in 1958 under the leadership of Abrahiim Abuod and Hamad Hamadmajuub as an intero prime minster,moreafter,the Abuod,s regime came to had expelled all the christian missionaries and had also came to cancelled the sunday calendar to friday as the only holiday which could be honoured by every citizen in our country sudan,Thereafter,what do you people know about Bashir?Bashir has just crown his powers in the back-shell of Iran,Qatar,China,Russia,North Korea and all arabs peninsula who are ever ready awaiting the third worldwar which was intiated by talaban islamic militian group and the common Hezbollah install by Labanese,Syrian under president Beshar Alaaset and the Amass islamic groups,however,OMER BASHIR is more powerful than Saddam Hussein due to the fact that government of Khartoum had many ammunitions from Russia for instance,the Jet fighters issued by Russian in 2003 which i believed ,that Bashir is ever ready like groom to fight,Thus,icc,is doing nothing to migt handle Bashir unless Spla/m must face Omer instead of icc warrant which has no power.thanks
BY MAMERO DE DAU