Charity quits ‘impossible’ Darfur
A Norwegian aid agency is closing down its
operations in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region, citing government
interference in its work. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says it is aiding
some 300,000 people who have fled their homes in Darfur.
A Norwegian aid agency is closing down its operations in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region, citing government interference in its work.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says it is aiding some 300,000 people who have fled their homes in Darfur.
The agency says it has been suspended five times, for a total of 210 days since it started work in 2004.
“We cannot work when the authorities suspend us continuously and do not respond to our repeated requests for dialogue aimed at addressing and resolving underlying reasons for this action,” said NRC Secretary-General Tomas C Archer.
Some 200,000 people have died in Darfur and two million made homeless, with pro-government militias accused of genocide against black Africans.
The government says it is disarming the Janjaweed militia, but a BBC correspondent in Sudan says all the evidence points to the exact opposite.
African Union (AU) peacekeepers say it is very clear that government and militia are working hand in hand.
Governments and NGO’s around the world are trying to help the victims of the ethnic cleansing of Darfur. The government of Sudan continues with politics reminiscent of Idi Amin. Western democracies respond with as much leadership as Elmer Fudd.
Posted: Fri - November 10, 2006 at 06:46 AM