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Sudan opens up to more aid groups Sudan opens up to more aid groups
(10 minutes later)
Sudan's government says it will invite new aid groups to work in Darfur and allow those still operating there to expand their activities.Sudan's government says it will invite new aid groups to work in Darfur and allow those still operating there to expand their activities.
The UN's head of humanitarian affairs welcomed the move.The UN's head of humanitarian affairs welcomed the move.
Sudan expelled 13 foreign aid groups in March after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.Sudan expelled 13 foreign aid groups in March after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
Meanwhile, the backer of a conference on Darfur says it may be cancelled because of opposition from Sudan.Meanwhile, the backer of a conference on Darfur says it may be cancelled because of opposition from Sudan.
The UN says that up to 300,000 people have died during the conflict in Darfur and 2.7 million driven from their homes.The UN says that up to 300,000 people have died during the conflict in Darfur and 2.7 million driven from their homes.
Sudan had agreed last month to allow some aid back into Darfur following its expulsion of humanitarian groups.Sudan had agreed last month to allow some aid back into Darfur following its expulsion of humanitarian groups.
On Thursday, the minister for humanitarian assistance, Haroun Lual Ruun, said Khartoum would invite new non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to Darfur.On Thursday, the minister for humanitarian assistance, Haroun Lual Ruun, said Khartoum would invite new non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to Darfur.
He also said it would allow those UN agencies and NGOs remaining in the Sudanese region to "expand their existing operations".He also said it would allow those UN agencies and NGOs remaining in the Sudanese region to "expand their existing operations".
I think what we're hearing... is that new NGOs with new names, new logos, if necessary, can come in John Holmes UN humanitarian chiefI think what we're hearing... is that new NGOs with new names, new logos, if necessary, can come in John Holmes UN humanitarian chief
"We have also agreed to further improve the NGOs operating environment by easing travel and visas restrictions, by reviewing the need for individual technical agreements for NGOs," he said."We have also agreed to further improve the NGOs operating environment by easing travel and visas restrictions, by reviewing the need for individual technical agreements for NGOs," he said.
He was speaking during a visit to Sudan by UN humanitarian chief John Holmes and US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration.He was speaking during a visit to Sudan by UN humanitarian chief John Holmes and US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration.
Mr Holmes said he would prefer the expulsion decision to be revoked.Mr Holmes said he would prefer the expulsion decision to be revoked.
But he also said that if trust was restored between the humanitarian community and Sudanese authorities, capacity lost after the expulsions could be recovered.But he also said that if trust was restored between the humanitarian community and Sudanese authorities, capacity lost after the expulsions could be recovered.
"I think what we're hearing... is that new NGOs with new names, new logos, if necessary, can come in," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."I think what we're hearing... is that new NGOs with new names, new logos, if necessary, can come in," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"That means there's an opportunity to exploit some of that expertise and experience that is there and I think that is a welcome degree of flexibility about how it might happen in the future.""That means there's an opportunity to exploit some of that expertise and experience that is there and I think that is a welcome degree of flexibility about how it might happen in the future."
'Delegates harassed''Delegates harassed'
The conference on Darfur that could now be cancelled was to bring together some 400 people from Darfur's diverse ethnic groups in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.The conference on Darfur that could now be cancelled was to bring together some 400 people from Darfur's diverse ethnic groups in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Pro-government groups as well as those close to Darfuri rebels were included.Pro-government groups as well as those close to Darfuri rebels were included.
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes: 'We have had a good discussion'
Funded by Sudanese expatriate and telecoms entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim, it also had the backing of the UN, the African Union and the Arab League.Funded by Sudanese expatriate and telecoms entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim, it also had the backing of the UN, the African Union and the Arab League.
But Mr Ibrahim told the BBC that the process is now being held up by the Sudanese authorities.But Mr Ibrahim told the BBC that the process is now being held up by the Sudanese authorities.
He said delegates were being harassed, their passports withdrawn and that some have been warned they were engaging in activities against the state.He said delegates were being harassed, their passports withdrawn and that some have been warned they were engaging in activities against the state.
Unless the Sudanese government gave its permission, the conference would have to be abandoned, he added.Unless the Sudanese government gave its permission, the conference would have to be abandoned, he added.
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says work to prepare for the conference has been under way for nearly a year, and UN planes and helicopters were on standby to help airlift the delegates to Ethiopia.BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says work to prepare for the conference has been under way for nearly a year, and UN planes and helicopters were on standby to help airlift the delegates to Ethiopia.
Mr Bashir is accused by ICC prosecutors of orchestrating atrocities against civilians in Darfur, where his government has been fighting rebels since 2003.Mr Bashir is accused by ICC prosecutors of orchestrating atrocities against civilians in Darfur, where his government has been fighting rebels since 2003.
He has dismissed the ICC's charges as a "neo-colonialist plot".He has dismissed the ICC's charges as a "neo-colonialist plot".