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Oxfam head ordered to leave Sudan
| "Pack your good intentions and get the hell out!" |
Sudan has ordered the head of Oxfam to leave "as soon as possible" for violating visa regulations, a week after threatening to expel him in a separate dispute. Humanitarian assistance minister, Ibrahim Mahmud Hamid, said Oxfam director Shaun Skelton had a visa only for Darfur but was working in Khartoum and so had to leave the country. "They [country directors] have specific immigration requirements, which the head of Oxfam has failed in," the under-secretary for humanitarian affairs, Abdel Rahman Abu Doam, said. An Oxfam spokesman declined to comment. On November 29, Sudan ordered the expulsion of the country heads of Oxfam and Save the Children UK but postponed the decision, citing administrative difficulties and humanitarian concerns. Mr Hamid said the expulsion order had been suspended but could be implemented in the future. Sudan had accused the two organisations of dealing in political affairs, which broke the law, and of making statements in support of rebels.
| "It ain't fair for them to meddle in our bidniz!" |
Mr Hamid said Mr Skelton was free to apply to return. It was unclear whether other Oxfam staff were also at risk for violating visa regulations.
Posted by: Steve White 2004-12-08 |
