EU announces new aid package for Darfur

May 4, 2006 (BRUSSELS) — The European Commission announced Thursday a 100 million-euro (127 million-dollar) aid package for Sudan’s troubled Darfur region to help with rebuilding once a peace accord is signed.

Announcing the package in a statement, the EU’s executive arm also welcomed an “imminent Darfur peace deal” and congratulated the negotiating parties for their efforts.

“In coordination with the international community, we are putting together a 100 million euro package covering humanitarian and immediate recovery needs for the region,” EU humanitarian aid commissioner Louis Michel said.

But as the statement was released, US and other international mediators struggled to strongarm Darfur’s rebel leaders into accepting a deal to end three years of slaughter in their devastated region in western Sudan.

The Khartoum government has said it supports the new text, but Darfur’s two rebel movements are holding out for more guarantees on regional autonomy and jobs in the national army, at the risk of provoking international disapproval.

“This agreement will be a real progress on the way towards a peaceful and prosperous Sudan and I wish to congratulate the African Union negotiators and the parties for their determination in achieving the agreement which should be signed soon,” Michel said.

Darfur, an arid desert region the size of France, erupted into civil war in early 2003, when the groups started fighting the Khartoum government for autonomy for their region.

The pro-government Janjaweed militia launched a brutal counter-attack. The conflict has since cost between 180,000 and 300,000 lives and driven more than 2.4 million people from their homes.

The commission plans to release the aid gradually as the peace plan takes hold, firstly to help move refugees away from camps and then to rebuild their homes, as well as provide food, a spokesman said.

(ST)