Sudanese Communist Party figure Kamal Karrar condemned the Port Sudan junta authorities’ decision to declare World Food Programme (WFP) country director Laurent Bukera and operations chief Samantha Katraj persona non grata and give them 72 hours to leave Sudan, calling it an “irresponsible move” that reflects crisis mismanagement.
Speaking to Al-Rakoba, Karrar said the expulsions come as Sudan faces famine and severe food shortages, evoking “the defunct regime’s” past hostility toward humanitarian agencies. He praised WFP’s record of rapid emergency intervention in conflict and disaster zones, saying its operations have helped save millions from hunger.
Karrar noted the Foreign Ministry framed the decision as enforcing international law and upholding sovereignty, but argued such justifications “do not withstand the reality of the humanitarian tragedy” inside the country. He cited UN estimates that more than 25 million people face acute food insecurity, adding that hasty decisions like this “do not harm the organizations so much as the hungry citizens waiting for a food truck.”
WFP said Wednesday it had been notified that two senior officials must depart within 72 hours without explanation. The agency warned the expulsions come at a critical time, with over 24 million people facing severe food insecurity.
