Qatar says ready to participate actively in Darfur economic development
June 5, 2011 (DOHA) — Qatar is willing to participate actively in the development of Darfur region once a peaceful settlement to the conflict is reached, said the state minister for foreign affairs who disclosed that a major economic power also pledged to participate in this enterprise.
In March 2011 a follow up committee designed to establish the bank endorsed a feasibility study and preparations are underway to launch the financial establishment officially soon in Khartoum.
“The capital of the bank is two billions but its operating budget will be ten billion or more,” said state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud in an interview conducted in Doha this week. “The Emir of Qatar initiated this project because he wants to do something for Darfur people,” he further said.
Al-Mohmoud further said the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, one of the Middle East’s most influential leaders, contacted leaders from major countries to launch an international partnership for Darfur development.
The president of a major power told the Emir that once peace is reached his country would provide what it can for Darfur development, the Qatari state minister said.
Al-Mahmoud emphasized that peace agreement should be followed immediately by the implementation of two major things the security and development. He pointed out that during his visits to Darfur he noticed the urgent need for infrastructure projects particularly roads, hospitals and schools.
The state minister said the fertile and volcanic land of Darfur can be used in food production particularly at this time where all the world seek to invest in food security.
During his visits to Darfur he “noticed that in El-Geneina that the water is at a depth of one to three meters and we have companies investing in food security around the world, why we do not undertake such investments in Darfur?” he asked.
He went to say that Qatar can invest in agricultural projects in Darfur and export its products stressing this would revive the economic activity and boost Darfur development.
Darfur stakeholders this week adopted in Doha a framework document for peace in the restive region. At the same time the government and the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) said they will sign a peace agreement within three weeks. While the Justice and Equality Movement welcomed the document as good ground for talks with Khartoum.
Al-Mahmoud urged the Sudanese parties to sign a peace agreement adding rime is running out as the population is losing patience and generation of kids is now growing in the camps.
Asked About Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, the leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, the minister said they are in touch with him, adding that he told the mediation he is working to reunite his movement. “But our brother Abdel Wahid should take in account the time and the suffering population that are in dire need for peace,” he stressed.
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Emmanuel Ajang Solomon
Qatar says ready to participate actively in Darfur economic development
bravo, we have to celebrate the development effort you are promising will really do good to them,plus make sure the Government of Sudan signed genuine peace not only because the South can come with other solutions for Darfurians.
Qatar be like Kenya to make sure they did really what is signed is what is implemented,Sudan is going to have very many problems so it better for them to signed with out conditions of saying, we don’t want Jem,Abdul waid el Nur.
Take care darfurians Sudan wants to make tricks on U.