France condemns Khartoum for expulsion of humanitarian staff

France on Wednesday condemned the Sudanese government for the expulsion from Darfur of 20 humanitarian workers for the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The workers were deployed in the troubled Darfur area where the leadership in Khartoum has been accused of severe repression and of being responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. President Omar Al-Beshir of Sudan and several of his key lieutenants are wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to answer allegations of massive abuse of the populations in Darfur in their effort to repress uprisings by a number of rebel groups in the area. Well over 300,000 people have perished, mostly civilians, in the six-year conflict in Darfur and over two million have been rendered homeless and are refugees either in Darfur or in neighbouring countries. Khartoum regularly expels humanitarian workers from the area, accusing them of collusion with rebel groups, a charge that has never been substantiated. France blasted the latest expulsions at a time when security is precarious for refugees and those seeking to flee the fighting. "This decision that is without justification comes at a time when the humanitarian security situation in Darfur remains worrying," a French statement said, noting France "condemns the expulsion of twenty workers" with the UNHCR. The move by Sudanese authorities "is an obstacle to the aid brought by the HCR to the two million displaced people from Darfur, of which 1.2 million are in camps," Paris said. Recalling their attachment to humanitarian principles and "unfettered access" to those in need, the French authorities called on Khartoum "to renew as quickly as possible the work permits for the HCR employees so that they can pursue their action to help the populations of Darfur.