An official of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sudan says it has suspended its work there after the government said the Swiss-run organisation was not complying with national laws.
Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC’s delegation in Sudan, said in a statement on Sunday that the group was now in discussions with authorities on how to lift the suspension, which took effect on Saturday.
The state news agency SUNA quoted Khartoum’s humanitarian aid commissioner as saying that the request to halt the Red Cross’s work came after the commission noticed that the ICRC was operating outside the framework provided by international agreements. It wasn’t clear to which work he was referring.
In the statement, the ICRC said it has over 700 staff in Sudan, locals and expatriates. It has been present in the country since 1978.
The organisation works mainly with people affected by the Darfur conflict on the ground as well as promoting the application of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.