Sudan expels 2 UN officials

Sudan on Tuesday declared two senior officials of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) personae non gratae and ordered them to leave the country within 72 hours, the official SUNA news agency reported.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned WFP Country Director Laurent Bukera to inform him that both he and WFP Head of Operations Samantha Chattaraj were declared unwelcome, SUNA reported.



The ministry said the government remains fully committed to cooperating with global organizations "in accordance with internationally recognized rules and laws, including respect for state sovereignty," it reported.



While no reasons were provided for the expulsion, the ministry said the decision will not affect ongoing cooperation with WFP on humanitarian and development programs in Sudan, it reported.