Sudan in talks with expelled groups to resume Darfur work

June 9, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – Three US based relief groups are holding unpublicized talks with the Sudanese government to allow it to resume work in the war ravaged region of Darfur and other parts of the country, Reuters reported.

The groups include Mercy Corps, CARE and Save the Children which may reenter Sudan under the same name but using their affiliates in other countries.

Sudan kicked more than half a dozen groups in March accusing with collaborating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to build a case against president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Bashir in connection with war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur.

The international community including Sudan’s allies have criticized the decision but the no action has been taken by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to secure their return.

Some 4.7 million people rely on humanitarian aid in Darfur. Many of the camps, where some 2.7 million residents headed after the violence drove them from their homes, lie in flood plains.

Sudan has vowed not to allow any of the expelled groups to return and Bashir has announced that local aid groups would take over in a year time.

However, Khartoum has softened its stance ever since and hinted that it may allow the same groups to return but from different countries.

US officials have said that Sudan agreed to let back in the aid groups but did not give any details.

The UN humanitarian chief John Holmes confirmed the reports and told Reuters he was aware of the negotiations involving the U.S. aid groups, calling it a “practical way forward”.

“The government made clear that while they couldn’t reverse the decision they had taken to expel the 13 international NGOs. If NGOs turned up with new names and new logos they had the possibility to be welcomed back again,” Holmes said.

“Some of them are taking advantage of that and discussing how exactly that would work” he added.

A UN report following the expulsions in April said that 1 million people will be at risk particularly with the rainy season ahead.

Sudan dismissed the report insisting that it will be able to fill the gap left by the expelled relief organizations.

But Darfur displaced population refused to accept local aid groups accusing them of being undercover Sudanese security.

(ST)