Britain pledges 94 million dollars for Sudan, Chad
LONDON, Jan 9 (AFP) — Britain is to contribute 50 million pounds (94 million dollars, 72 million euros) towards the United Nations appeal for Sudan and eastern Chad, a British cabinet minister announced Sunday.
“This contribution, and our total pledge to Sudan next year, underlines the UK’s continuing strong commitment to Africa and to tackling conflict,” International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in a statement.
The pledge to the UN’s 2005 Workplan for Sudan and eastern Chad is part of a total contribution of 100 million pounds set aside by Britain for Sudan in 2005, “provided there is progress in Darfur,” Benn said.
Benn, who was in Nairobi to attend the signing of the peace agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), applauded the historic peace pact between Sudan and southern rebels.
“This is a tremendous achievement which brings to an end a civil war that has claimed two million lives over a generation.
He urged all parties in the continuing, separate conflict in Darfur to “take urgent steps” to resolve the crisis.
Sudanese troops and their militia allies have been fighting since February 2003 against rebel groups in Darfur, who have been demanding a greater share of oil revenues for development.
The violence in Darfur has claimed some 70,000 lives and left 1.6 million people homeless.