Sudan may lose access to EU funds under Cotonou Agreement

April 24, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan may be denied access to approximately 300 million euro by next June if it refuses to ratify the new version of the Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP)-European Union (EU) Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CA) signed in 2000.

The Cotonou treaty in its original format is aimed at the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty while contributing to sustainable development and to the gradual integration of ACP countries into the world economy.

However the revised Agreement incorporates the fight against impunity and promotion of criminal justice through the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The parties shall seek to take steps towards ratifying and implementing the Rome Statute and related instruments” the agreement reads.

Sudan is currently involved in a row with the ICC over an arrest warrant it issued last month for president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir in connection with war crimes in Darfur.

Khartoum also urged fellow African states to withdraw from the ICC and a meeting will be held next June for that purpose.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) referred the Darfur case to the ICC under a Chapter VII resolution since Sudan has not ratified the Rome Statute. Shortly after the arrest warrant Sudan withdrew its signature from the treaty.

A large portion of the funds is allocated to support the semi-autonomous Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

GoSS is currently under financial duress due to the sharp drop in oil prices and has reportedly asked Washington to cover part of the revenue shortfall. The withholding of the funds will likely add to the South financial situation.

(ST)