Sudan Blocks Aid Workers and Other Outsiders

Aid workers and journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to travel to Darfur, describing tighter restrictions and rules arbitrarily enforced by Sudanese officials, reports Reuters.

Members of the news media have described passports being taken and travel permits denied because of spelling errors or other alleged mistakes.

Some say that the government is trying to control reports of a losing war and humanitarian crises; Jan Pronk, the head of the U.N. Mission, was expelled after saying that Sudan’s army suffered losses to rebel factions, and two high-ranking officials of Medecins Sans Frontieres Holland were arrested after publishing a report on widespread rape in Darfur.

“They make it very clear,” said one Western aid worker who was quoted anonymously. “They want to drastically reduce the number of NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] in Darfur, and regain control.” Sudan denies that it is blocking reporters or aid workers.

Read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s articles on aid efforts in Darfur.

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