EC provides fund to support peace process in Sudan

BRUSSELS, April 14, 2004 (Xinhua) — The European Commission (EC), has decided to provide a total of 1.5 million euros (1.8 million US dollars) to support the peace process in Sudan.

The money would be provided through the Rapid Reaction Mechanism to support the peace negotiations between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), according to a press release issued Wednesday by the executive arm of the European Union.

This EC funding will cover costs related to hosting the peace- talks during the coming six months as well as operational costs of the international cease-fire observation mechanism, it said.

Sudan has been embroiled in the longest running and one of the most devastating conflicts of post-colonial Africa. After a decade with on-off dialogues, the negotiations between the government and the SPLM seem to have reached the home stretch. Several sectional accords, considered major “building blocks” on the way towards a comprehensive agreement, have been reached.