Red Cross suspension ‘final phase of genocide’: Darfur rebels

The Sudanese government’s decision last week to suspend the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has attracted fierce condemnation from several quarters. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Mahjoub Adam Tabaldiya, sheikh of El Salam camp in Nyala, sharply condemned the Sudanese authorities’ decision to suspend the activities of the Red Cross. He called on the UN and the Security Council to pressure the Sudanese government to allow the return of the international organisations expelled in the past, and cancel the decision to suspend the Red Cross activities without setting restrictions or conditions. The sheikh emphasised that “the displaced of Darfur now face a real disaster. There is already a lack of humanitarian services; the past agricultural season failed; the prices of basic commodities increase almost daily, and international aid organisations have been expelled.” ‘Final phase of genocide’ The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), led by Abdel Wahid El Nur, and the SLM, led by Mini Minawi, separately issued statements strongly condemning the suspension of the activities of the Red Cross. Both rebel movements said that the purpose behind the suspension is to dismantle the camps. “This is the final phase of the genocide in Darfur, by denying the people access to food, water, and medicines.” Both movements appealed in their statements to the UN Secretary-General, the international community and human rights organisations to take this matter seriously, requesting them to pressure the Sudanese government to revoke its decision. The Red Cross activities were suspended as of 1 February after the organisation refused to comply with the new terms of the Sudanese authorities. The budget and funds of the Red Cross offices should be put at the disposal of the Sudanese Red Crescent. The Red Cross is not to undertake any activity on the ground before informing the Sudanese authorities about the kind, location and the timing of the activity. All Red Cross offices throughout the world work independently from the authorities of the countries where they operate. The humanitarian situation in the camps for the displaced seriously deteriorated after Sudan expelled 13 foreign organisations operating in Darfur, following the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for President Omar Al Bashir in 2009. File photo: Darfuri children assisted by the Red Cross. (ICRC) Related:Red Cross suspension ‘death sentence for Darfur’: Omda (3 February 2014)Red Cross hopes to resume work in Sudan ‘soon’ (2 February 2014) Sudan suspends all Red Cross activities (31 January 2014)