The relief organization Oxfam has called on the South Sudanese government to revoke an order to non-governmental organizations ordering the firing of foreign aid workers serving in certain functions.

The government order lists nine roles - executive directors, personnel managers, secretaries, human relations officers, public relation officers, procurement officers, front desk officers, protocol officers and receptionists - that have to be filled by "competent South Sudanese nationals" from 15 October.

“If this circular were to be acted upon, it would have very serious implications on our ability to deliver assistance in South Sudan,” said Tariq Riebl, the head of Oxfam in Juba, speaking on Radio France International.

“We are very concerned that if indeed the government must insist on this that the humanitarian efforts in this country will be severely hampered,” he added.

Asked whether Oxfam would pull out from the country, he said, “Well we would definitely implore the government to revoke this order and concentrate on ensuring that citizens are able to receive the assistance they need. And that means there has to be some foreign experts that are deployed to the country.”

Riebl referred to the millions of people affected by the crisis, saying, “There is no country on the planet that can do this using only its own nationals.”

“In theory this, if acted upon, it would be very difficult to imagine how Oxfam or most aid agencies would be able to continue working in South Sudan.”

Meanwhile, the advocacy organization Global Witness in London says that that it is “disturbing that the South Sudanese government is attempting to expel trained aid workers at a time of a grave humanitarian crisis.”

Global Witness campaigner Emma Vickers said the decision demonstrates a “total disregard” for the lives of citizens affected by the conflict.

“Global Witness would support a commitment to improve employment opportunities for South Sudanese citizens, but removing foreign workers from this many positions in such a short time frame will not achieve this goal,” she said.

“Instead, the government risks crippling the economy, which has already been damaged by the last 8 months of conflict, and plunging it further into dependence on oil.”

Related coverage:

S Sudan asks NGOs to fire foreign aid workers amid hunger crisis (15 Sept.)