| Author (Person) | Cronin, David |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.11, No.36, 13.10.05 |
| Publication Date | 13/10/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
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By David Cronin Date: 13/10/05 The African Union is seeking EUR 70 million in fresh EU funding for the peacekeeping mission in Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur. The sum would be additional to the EUR 90m already committed by the EU for the 6,000-strong African troops deployed to oversee a fragile cease-fire in Darfur, a province the size of France. It would be designed to help the African mission double in size next year. EU diplomats say that the extra funding would probably come from the African peace facility, which is administered by the European Commission and draws down money from the Union's development assistance budget. The idea of allocating a large increase in funds for Darfur from the budget for the EU's foreign and security policy has been ruled out. At nearly EUR 63 million this year, that budget is already overstretched and is to come under further strain from planned EU operations in Moldova and the Palestinian territories. The situation in Darfur was among the topics discussed during meetings between Alpha Oumar Konaré, the chairman of the African Union commission, and representatives of the EU institutions this week. Unveiling a new strategy for Africa yesterday (12 October), the European Commission stated that the EUR 250m African peace facility would have to be replenished if the EU is to provide robust support for conflict resolution in the continent. The African force in Darfur suffered its first losses of life last weekend since their operations began more than a year ago. Three soldiers from its Nigerian contingent and two civilian staff died after being ambushed by rebels. Earlier this week the United Nations adviser on the prevention of genocide Juan Mendez warned that violence is escalating in Darfur. He also expressed concern at reports that trucks owned by the Sudanese army were used in recent attacks on refugee camps there, which left up to 35 civilians dead. Article reports that the African Union was seeking €70 million in fresh EU funding for the peacekeeping mission in Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur. The money would probably come from the African peace facility, administered by the European Commission and drawn from the European Union's development assistance budget. The sum would be additional to the €90m already committed by the EU for the 6,000-strong African troops deployed to oversee a fragile cease-fire in the Darfur province. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Countries / Regions | Europe |
