Aid Agencies to Return to Darfur, Or Perhaps Not

by Michael Bear · 2009-04-20 17:44:00 UTC
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This afternoon, we pause to revel in rumors.  In particular, rumors that the Sudanese Government might (might) allow some of the expelled aid agencies to return to Darfur.

The rumors - which started following US Envoy Scott Gration's trip to Sudan in early April -  ratcheted up a notch or two after Senator John Kerry's visit to Sudan last week.  According to Kerry:

"Thanks to the leadership of the president's special envoy General Scott Gration and thanks to the willingness of the government here to engage in a new dialogue with us, some of that capacity for humanitarian assistance will be restored."

As John Norris of the Enough Project stated:

"I am guessing that this also suggests Sudan would allow some of the 13 banned international relief organizations to resume operations. Of course, as with all things related to the government of Sudan, we will believe it when we see it."

And here's where things get interesting.  Sudan's Ambassador to the UN recently stated:

"The expelled organizations for us are a closed file. It's irreversible (that they will not be allowed back into Darfur). We've discussed with Scott Gration and John Kerry that the government can accept new humanitarian aid (organizations) - those who are committed to humanitarian ideals."

Which, depending on how devious you're feeling, either means that completely new humanitarian agencies will fill the gaps, or - well, perhaps there are ways to make expelled organizations new again.  Any suggestions?

[Photo of a boy in Zam Zam camp in Darfur from the AP]

Michael Bear
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