Canada's new envoy to Sudan was introduced during a memorial celebration in Ottawa over the weekend, just two days after Canada's chargé d'affairs and her European Union counterpart were expelled from the East African country.

Sam Hanson was introduced as the new Canadian chargé d'affaires to Khartoum during an event at St. Paul University on Saturday that was held to mark the second anniversary of the death of former Sudan rebel leader John Garang.

During the ceremony, Mr. Hanson was introduced to the crowd as the new chargé d'affaires, and the crowd applauded when he stood to acknowledge the welcome. Mr. Hanson is expected in the Sudanese capital by Sept. 19.

The Department of Foreign Affairs did not return repeated calls to confirm Mr. Hanson's appointment.

Last week, the Sudanese government expelled Nuala Lawlor, the Canadian chargé d'affaires in Khartoum, together with European Union envoy Kent Degerfelt for allegedly interfering in the internal affairs of Sudan.

Sudan Tribune, an online news source, quoted Ali Karti, a minister of state in Sudan's ministry of foreign affairs, as saying both diplomats were expelled for seeking the release of prominent opposition leader Mahmoud Hassanein, who has been detained for allegedly plotting a coup. The London-based Arabic daily Al Hayat also quoted unnamed sources saying the expulsions were a result of both diplomats' association with rebels from Darfur, opposition figures and NGOs considered to be supporting dissidents in Khartoum.

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier issued a strong statement this week calling Ms. Lawlor's expulsion unjustified, adding that Canada will not apologize.

"The diplomat was acting in the finest traditions of Canadian diplomacy and was standing up for our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Sudan," Mr. Bernier said.

However, Faiza Hassan Taha, Sudan's ambassador to Canada, said the expulsion of the diplomats had nothing to do with their meeting with opposition leaders in Sudan.

"This is a normal practice that some opposition leaders have good relations with foreign diplomats in Sudan," said Ms. Taha in a statement.

"The real cause has been stated clearly, that the two diplomats ignored the diplomatic protocol in conveying their messages to the director of national intelligence and security services. These kinds of mistakes will not be accepted in any country, even in Canada."


CARE Director Also Expelled

Despite last week's expulsion of Canada's top diplomat from Sudan, the Canadian International Development Agency has confirmed that Canadian aid to the North African country will continue. In the last two years, Canada has provided nearly $85 million for food and non-food humanitarian assistance to Sudan through non-governmental organizations, which include the United Nations, the Red Cross and Canadian NGOs.

"Our humanitarian partners work independently of the Canadian diplomatic presence on the ground in Sudan. It is not expected that this action by the government of Sudan will affect Canada's humanitarian assistance to populations in need throughout Sudan," said Greg Scott, chief of media relations for CIDA.

On Monday, Sudan expelled Paul Barker, country director of the aid organization CARE, giving him 72 hours to leave the country.

Mr. Kilgour said the only country with any influence in Sudan is China, and if the international community wants to help displaced people in Sudan, pressure must be applied on Beijing.

But even as Canada commits to providing humanitarian aid, it seems it will continue normal diplomatic ties with Sudan as well.

David Kilgour, a former secretary of state for Latin America and Africa during Jean Chrétien's time as prime minister, said despite the aura of normal diplomatic relations with Sudan, Canada has not had any influence with Khartoum since Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir came to power through a military coup in 1989. While criticizing the expulsion of the Canadian diplomat, Mr. Kilgour said severing relations with Sudan would not be in the best interest of the needy, who depend on Canadian aid.

"On one hand, it is tempting to say yes [to cutting off ties], but the advantage of having someone on the ground is better than getting second-hand information," said Mr. Kilgour, adding that he doesn't foresee an end to the expulsion of Western diplomats.

"Khartoum does not care one hoot about the people in the [internally displaced persons] camps. If they can expel the head of CARE International, no one is immune," said Mr. Kilgour.

The expulsion of diplomats and aid workers from Sudan will have a negative impact on the numerous NGOs in the country and will also affect the delivery of humanitarian assistance, said Justin Laku, founder of the Ottawa-based organization Canadian Friends of Sudan.

"Aid workers will have security problems and they will not get the protection they need and harassment by Sudanese officials will increase," he said.

editor@embassymag.ca.