Sudan Expels US Aid Group From Darfur Over Bibles

Reuters reports today that Sudanese authorities have expelled an American aid group, Thirst No More In North Darfur (TNM), after the government found 3,400 copies of the Bible in Arabic in the group's offices. Sudanese regulations require aid groups to provide details of their activities to Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission. TNM's 2009 Work Plan says its goal is to increase water supplies to villages in North Darfur. Governmental permission is required before a new project can be undertaken. A Commission official says that TNM failed to provide justification for possessing so many Bibles. Most charitable groups in Darfur sign a voluntary Red Cross code of conduct that precludes using aid to further a specific political or religious viewpoint.