Sudan’s SPLM/A lands German loan for rail project

Sep 29, 2004 (LiquidAfrica) — The Southern Sudan People`s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) has negotiated for the release of three billion Euro from Germany to finance a rail project linking Sudan with Uganda and Kenya, a senior official of the organisation said in Nairobi Tuesday.

Castello Garang Ring, SPLA/M Commissioner for International Co-operation and Development said one billion Euro would be released for the first phase of the project, and two billion for the second phase.

The money would be used to finance the first two crucial phases of the 5,000-km railway network, which links Uganda`s town of Rongai and Gulu with Kenya and Southern Sudan.

The loan would be disbursed once the Sudanese parties sign a comprehensive peace deal by early next year.

German multinational Thormalen Group is to handle the project, whose overall cost is put at 18 billion Euro.