Sudan expels UN official over meddling in internal affairs

April 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) –The foreign ministry on Thursday expelled the head of United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) in Sudan on charge of interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Pamela DeLargy, an American national, was ordered to leave Sudan because she “did not comply with the laws of the country but also because she interfered in its internal affairs”, said Abu Bakar Al-Amin, the ministry spokesperson.

“This is not compatible with its status as an United Nations official,” he underlined.

Al-Amin said that this measure does not target the UNPFA, reaffirming Sudan’s keenness to continue cooperating with the UN agency.

He further added that Sudan is ready to receive her successor and provide him with all the necessary assistance and cooperation in the framework of Sudanese laws and agreements signed between the government and UN agency.

However, the Sudanese diplomat declined to disclose the reason of this decision.

In a post on Twitter on Thursday, DeLargy said “UNFPA uses its global reach to speak out against discrimination and violence. This is our mandate”.

The UNFPA works in Sudan since 1973 in areas of maternal and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS; population and development; and gender equality. The agency is also implementing humanitarian and recovery programmes in Darfur states.

All its programmes are implemented through government partners like the ministry of health, ministry of welfare and social security, local NGOs and universities.

(ST)