A top UN aid official today called Sudan's decision to expel the country head of charity Oxfam "very bad" and said he hoped it would be reversed, as had happened in the past.
Expelling aid officials was not "the way to treat those of us who come there to help," United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr Jan Egeland told journalists.
Yesterday, Sudan accused Oxfam director Mr Shaun Skelton of violating visa regulations by working in Khartoum when his permit was for Darfur, and ordered him to leave "as soon as possible."
It was the second time in little over a week that the government had sought to force Mr Skelton out of Sudan. But a November 29th expulsion order for the Oxfam chief and the country head of Save the Children UK was dropped after an international outcry, with the government citing administrative difficulties and humanitarian concerns.
"It is very bad," Mr Egeland said, when asked to comment on the government move. "We are dealing with these issues on the highest levels ... and I hope we can reverse it again."
Sudan had accused Oxfam and Save the Children of dealing in political affairs, which broke the law, and of making statements it said indicated their support for rebels who launched an uprising against the government early last year.
Oxfam works mostly in sanitation, water provision and hygiene in Darfur, but also operates throughout Sudan. The government said that Mr Skelton was free to apply to return.