Military

Sudan Expels Aid Group's Top Official

By VOA News
27 August 2007


Sudan's government has expelled the regional manager of the international aid group CARE.

The state-run Sudanese Media Center reported Monday that Paul Parker was ordered Saturday to leave the country within 72 hours.

The report said Parker had meddled in Sudan's internal political and security affairs. It accused him of taking trips and making remarks unrelated to charity work.

The report also said CARE's Sudan branch had alerted the organization's head office of an impending attack in the Darfur town of El Fasher.

There has been no comment from Parker or CARE.

Parker is the third prominent foreigner ordered to leave Sudan in the past week.

Last week, the government expelled a Canadian diplomat, Nuala Lawlor, and a European envoy, Kent Degerfelt, who also were accused of meddling in Sudanese affairs.

Canada condemned Sudan's action, saying its diplomat was standing up for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Sudan.

Sudanese officials later invited the European envoy back to the country because they said European officials had apologized.

Western diplomats have been critical of Sudan's actions in Darfur, where government forces and militia groups have been battling rebels for more than four years.