Sudan reconstruction fundraiser targets $7.8 billion
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9, 2005 (PANA) — An international donor pledging conference slated for 11-12 April in Oslo, Norway is aimed at raising 7.8 billion US dollars to reconstruct war-ravaged southern Sudan, an official of the Khartoum government said here Wednesday.
The government-led Joint National Transition Team (JNTT), formed in accordance with the Wealth-Sharing Protocol signed by the government and ex-rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, set the US$7.8 billion target.
The Oslo meeting will be preceded by a donor consultative forum chaired by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Partners Forum slated for Rome, Italy from 13 to 14 March.
It will gauge the international response to the appeal for Sudan reconstruction and get particular pledges ahead of the Oslo conference, according to Sudan state minister for labour, Tag Elsir Mahgoub, chair of the JNTT.
He said the JNTT had endorsed the recommendations from the World Bank and United Nations led Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) and would present it in Oslo.
“The report covers several areas from infrastructure, roads and rail development. It also covers economic policy and media development… funding for reconstruction and recovery needs for Sudan,” Mahgoub told a news conference here.
UN and World Bank officials, who were present during the release of the peace support and economic recovery blueprint, said the partners forum and other international donors have “warmly welcomed” Sudan’s reconstruction strategy.
“This is not just another shopping list for the world to finance, it is a plan for reconstruction. We are asking for support for the next few years to enable Sudan stand on its own, expand electricity reach and expand social services,” said Ishac Diwan, World Bank country director for Sudan.
UN Secretary-General’s deputy special envoy to Sudan, Manuel Da Silva, said the Oslo Conference would gather 55 delegations, including IGAD members, the Arab League, African Union and Sudan, represented by JNTT.