UN and partners establish Darfur peace fund
October 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The UN and partner organizations announced on Wednesday that they launched the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund for the restive western Sudanese region.
The UN and partners said in a statement that the fund would be used to support peace building in Darfur and reconciliation through the implementation of community-based recovery and development activities in areas where local leaders could guarantee security and commit to a political dialogue.
“The UN and partners recognize that peace can only be sustainable when an inclusive political process and improved security situation go hand in hand with development,” the statement noted.
The Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund will complement positive developments on the political front during and after the forthcoming Darfur peace negotiations through providing program support to livelihood and governance, including rule of law, peace support at a local level and the expansion of basic social service delivery.
The statement said the humanitarian activities remained a priority for the UN and partners, adding that recovery activities at the community level for all Darfurians could effectively build momentum for a sustainable peace.
The announcement came three days before the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel movements resuming their peace talks, which had been deadlocked since a peace deal was reached between the government and one rebel faction in May, 2006.
The Sudanese government has hoped that the upcoming negotiations, to be held in Libya’s Sirte on Saturday, will be the last round to reach peace in the war-torn western Sudanese region.
(Xinhua)