International Aid Organisations Prepare to Leave Darfur Amid Registration Dispute

The registration crisis involving foreign organisations with the so-called National Humanitarian Access Authority, affiliated with the authorities in control of Darfur, has escalated as the deadline for legal compliance approaches.

On 15 April, the authorities granted national and international organisations a one-month deadline to register, warning that any unregistered organisation would be barred from operating in areas under their control. They also required the United Nations to reopen its offices across all operational areas within 45 days.

Sources told Darfur24 that foreign organisations operating in these areas have not taken the registration directives seriously, noting that the proportion that has begun procedures does not exceed 2% of the total active organisations.

The sources added that some international organisations have begun assembling staff in El Geneina, West Darfur State, in recent days in preparation for possible departure ahead of the deadline.

Meanwhile, a staff member at an international organisation said administrations instructed employees on Monday to work from home as a precaution against worst-case scenarios.

In a related development, sources expect the arrival of the UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan in Nyala to hold meetings with militia leaders.