USA: concerns on Khartoum’s ‘willingness’ to uphold Darfur treaty after UN restrictions

In a press statement on Tuesday, the US Department of State called on the Government of Sudan “to immediately renew the necessary work permits for 20 UNHCR international staff providing humanitarian assistance and protection to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict in Darfur.“The failure to renew UNHCR staff permits is particularly unfortunate, as it comes in the context of deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in Darfur and the forcible displacement of over 300,000 persons this year – more than the total number of displaced persons in Darfur over the past two years. This will affect UNHCR’s ability to conduct its critical, lifesaving programs in several sectors including health, emergency shelter and provision of non-food items,” a spokesperson states.“This recent tightening of restrictions on humanitarian actors in Darfur, including UN agencies and NGOs, raises serious concerns about the Government of Sudan’s willingness to uphold the promises it made in the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, and raises questions regarding the viability of this peace accord.“We call on the Sudanese Government and all rebel groups to engage without preconditions in an effective and inclusive political process to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We call on the Government of Sudan to allow UNHCR and all humanitarian actors unfettered humanitarian access to all parts of Darfur to protect and to assist the victims of the conflict and to support the implementation of the peace agreements. The people of Darfur deserve peace and stability now,” the statement concludes.On Tuesday, the UNHCR spokesperson confirmed that “of the 37 UNHCR international staff based in Darfur, only 17 currently have valid permits to continue their work”, noting that the Sudan government has expelled 20 members of staff of the refugee agency.  Reports from Chad In reports reaching Radio Dabanga from eastern Chad, the Sudanese refugees have expressed sadness at not being able to celebrate the upcoming Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, due to the poor economic conditions. They are destitute and market prices have soared. A sheikh of camp Toulom, Haider Suleiman Gardia, has reported to Radio Dabanga that while Eid Al Fitr is meant to be a religious festival for delight, this year’s Eid is the worst for the refugees. He said that the high cost of living, prices rising, food shortages and lack of income sources mean the refugees could not afford to buy sweets and clothes for their children and families. The sheikh of camp Kounongou, Issa El Tijani has similarly reported to Radio Dabanga that Eid Al Fitr of this year is different from all the past festivals because of the economic and humanitarian conditions facing the refugees. He said that the humanitarian organisations’ reduction of food rations left the refugees facing an inevitable famine due to the failure of the current planting season. Sheikh El Tijani added that the refugees used to receive some assistance from their relatives in Sudan, however their relatives themselves are now in need of assistance due to the deteriorating economic situation there. The sheikh expressed hope that peace would prevail in the country so that they could return to their homes and farms. File photo: UNHCR staff meet Darfuri refugees in Chad in April (M Antoine/UNHCR) Related: Darfur relief operations hampered as 20 UNHCR staff expelled (6 August 2013)‘Five million people displaced in Sudan in 2012’: UNHCR report (20 June 2013)UNHCR ‘completes move of Darfuris from Chad border’ (14 June 2013)