Sudan urges Arab support to African peacekeepers in Darfur
Mar 23, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has urged Arab countries to support African Union peacekeeping force in war torn region of Darfur, and to contribute to Darfur reconstruction and development programmes.
The Federal Minister of Finance and National Economy al-Zubair Ahmed al-Hassan called for contribution by the Arab countries to logistic and financial support to the African Union (AU) forces in Darfur to qualify it to carry out its tasks fully.
He invited Arab league to convene — in coordination with the AU and Sudan Government — a conference for reconstruction and development in Darfur after signing a peace agreement in Darfur which is expected to be reached soon.
This came when the minister was addressing the inaugural session of the Arab Economic and Social Council Thursday at the Friendship Hall here under his chairmanship.
On the efforts being exerted to solve Darfur crisis, the minister pointed out that the negotiations between the government and the rebel movements in Darfur are progressing ahead. He expressed appreciations for the Arab League and its active participation within the mediation team in the current Abuja talks.
Al-Zubair also urged support for the outcome of the second meeting of the donors in Paris earlier this month, which was attended by the Arab League and a number of Arab counties.
The final communiqué which was issued by the first donors’ conference in Oslo welcomed the Arab League commitment to close cooperation with the United Nations, the World Bank and other partners for supporting the development and reconstruction efforts in Sudan.
The minister said Sudan looks forward that the fourth coordinative meeting of the Arab finance institutions and funds which is to be convened before the end of this year would mobilize more resources for supporting rehabilitation and development programmes.
The donors conference which was held in Oslo in April 2005, in the presence of a number of Arab countries and the representative of the Arab League, had pledged a sum of 4.6 billion dollars about 70% of it concentrated on the humanitarian aid and 30% for development in southern Sudan and the war-affected areas, besides the less developed areas during 2005-2011, which represents one third of the needs. Sudan Government shall provide the remaining two thirds.
(ST)