Nyala, May 11 (Darfur24)
A growing dispute between the parallel ‘TASIS Government’ and international humanitarian organizations is threatening aid operations in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, as the deadline for organizations to register with the newly established humanitarian authority approaches.
On April 15, the National Humanitarian Access Authority granted local and foreign organizations one month to register with the Sudanese Relief and Humanitarian Operations Agency, warning that any unregistered organization would be barred from operating in areas under the control of the parallel government. The authority also instructed United Nations agencies to reopen offices in those areas within 45 days.
Sources told Darfur24 that most foreign organizations operating in Rapid Support Forces-controlled territories have not seriously engaged with the registration procedures. According to the sources, the number of organizations that initiated the process does not exceed two percent of the total organizations currently operating in those areas.
The sources added that several foreign organizations have recently begun gathering staff members in Al-Junaynah, West Darfur State, in preparation for a possible withdrawal as the registration deadline nears.
An employee of an international organization told Darfur24 that management informed staff on Monday to begin working from home while contingency measures are reviewed amid fears of a worsening situation.
Moreover, sources revealed that the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in Sudan is expected to arrive in Nyala, the administrative capital of the parallel government, to hold meetings with senior officials regarding the crisis.
A senior official in TASIS, speaking to Darfur24 on condition of anonymity, said the Sudanese Relief and Humanitarian Operations Agency and the Humanitarian Access Authority remain committed to implementing the registration decision.
He stressed that any organization failing to complete the procedures would be removed immediately from areas under the government’s control.
The official also disclosed that committees had been formed to inventory the assets and properties of foreign organizations refusing to register or continue operating without approval.
Darfur24 monitoring indicates that some organizations have already suspended activities in parts of Darfur amid growing uncertainty surrounding the registration order and fears of expulsion.
Earlier, Sudan’s army-aligned Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and warned against signing any agreements or memoranda of understanding with the parallel administration.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, humanitarian organizations in Sudan have faced increasing operational restrictions, while millions of civilians across Darfur and other conflict-affected regions continue to rely on humanitarian assistance for survival.