Norway to increase economic aid for the Sudan

OSLO, Feb 17, 2004 (norwaypost) — Norway has reportedly promised to provide further economic aid to Sudan when a peace treaty has been signed in the country.

The Norwegian newspaper Vaart Land reports that Norway’s development minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson is ready to increase its economic aid to the Sudan as soon as a peace treaty has been signed.

Norway and the US have already contributed large sums towards keeping the ongoing peace talks.

Development Minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson is ready to grant at least another NOK 300 million towards the repatriation of refugees and mine clearing. The US is also expected to increase its contributions.

The two nations have been active in facilitate the present peace efforts.

Norway was also active in the attempts to achieve peace in 1972, when the first peace treaty was signed, marking the end of 17 years of civil war. However, 11 years later the conflict broke out anew.

The new Norwegian aid programme will focus on the repatriation of Sudanese refugees from neighbouring ountries, on the clearing of mines and on strenghtening the civil administration in the Southern Sudan.

Norway has also been asked to arrange an international conference of contributing nations for the Sudan. However, the conference will take place only after a final peace treaty has been signed.