OIC to set up fund for Sudan reconstruction

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, Oct 14 (AFP) — The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has decided to set up a special fund for the reconstruction of the war-devastated area of south Sudan, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said here Tuesday.

The minister told reporters the fund was approved in principle by the OIC foreign ministers meeting here, and would be formally created under a resolution to be adopted by the Islamic summit being held Thursday and Friday.

He did not say how much money would be committed to the fund.

Sudan is seeking international assistance for the reconstruction of the southern part of the country in order to increase the chances of its inhabitants voting in favor of remaining united with the north.

The Sudanese government last year signed a preliminary agreement with the southern rebels which provides for a six-year period of self-rule for the mainly animist and Christian south, after which its population would vote on whether they want to remain united with the Muslim north.

Talks are under way in Kenya between the government and the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) to finalise the accord. The 20-year civil war has claimed more than 1.5 million lives and displaced four million others.