On 16 November 2006, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) was officially expelled from South Darfur.

This came after the Sudanese authorities had suspended the respected organisation from humanitarian relief operations in Darfur in September without any formal explanation. Together with other countries and the UN, Norway has been trying for some time to get the Sudanese authorities to reverse their decision.

“Our efforts to get the Sudanese authorities to change their mind in this matter have been in vain. Today we presented a formal protest to the Sudanese Government against the expulsion of the Norwegian Refugee Council from Darfur. The Sudanese authorities have publicly made serious accusations against NRC. We have no information whatsoever that would indicate that there is any truth to these allegations,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway is spearheading a joint protest together with the EU, the USA and Canada. The NRC was coordinator of the largest camp for internally displaced persons in South Darfur, and was primarily responsible for the protection of vulnerable groups.

“More than half of the population of Darfur is dependent on emergency relief, and the expulsion of the NRC could have serious consequences for many people in South Darfur. It is unacceptable that the Sudanese authorities continue to obstruct humanitarian workers in their efforts to help those in need,” Mr Støre emphasised.