Sudan's military government has ordered two senior officials at the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) to leave the country amid widespread famine sparked by a gruelling civil war that erupted in April 2023.
The WFP said directors of its Sudan operation were declared 'personae non grata' and told to go within 72 hours, without explanation.
The decision comes days after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the key city of el-Fasher in Darfur from the military after an 18-month siege, which included a food blockade.
The WFP said the expulsions came at a 'pivotal time' as humanitarian needs in Sudan had 'never been greater with more than 24 million people facing acute food insecurity'.
Although the military government has not given a reason for the expulsions, it has previously accused aid groups of breaking local laws and releasing misleading reports on famine conditions.
The government stated that the expulsion will not affect the country's cooperation with the WFP, according to the state news agency Suna.
The WFP is currently engaging with Sudanese authorities to resolve the matter.
The situation has become increasingly dire, particularly in el-Fasher, where many civilians are caught in the crossfire. Reports of atrocities, including mass killings, have emerged since the RSF captured the city. Observers are concerned that the expulsion of the WFP officials could further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in a nation already ravaged by conflict.
The WFP said directors of its Sudan operation were declared 'personae non grata' and told to go within 72 hours, without explanation.
The decision comes days after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the key city of el-Fasher in Darfur from the military after an 18-month siege, which included a food blockade.
The WFP said the expulsions came at a 'pivotal time' as humanitarian needs in Sudan had 'never been greater with more than 24 million people facing acute food insecurity'.
Although the military government has not given a reason for the expulsions, it has previously accused aid groups of breaking local laws and releasing misleading reports on famine conditions.
The government stated that the expulsion will not affect the country's cooperation with the WFP, according to the state news agency Suna.
The WFP is currently engaging with Sudanese authorities to resolve the matter.
The situation has become increasingly dire, particularly in el-Fasher, where many civilians are caught in the crossfire. Reports of atrocities, including mass killings, have emerged since the RSF captured the city. Observers are concerned that the expulsion of the WFP officials could further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in a nation already ravaged by conflict.
