Press Release: Donor Conference on Mali: EU pledges € 50 million to support an African-led peace operation (AFISMA)

On 29 January 2-13, at a donor conference on Mali hosted by the African Union in Addis Ababa, Commissioner for development, Andris Piebalgs, representing the European Union, confirmed the contribution of €50 million from the European Union to support the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

On this occasion, Andris Piebalgs stated: "By providing a substantial financial support to AFISMA, the European Union is sending a strong message that we are serious about actively supporting Mali in maintaining its unity and territorial integrity and bringing back peace and stability to the region."

He added: "The African Peace Facility could cover non‑military expenditures like medical expenses, daily allowances and transport costs of the troops deployed on the ground. In parallel we are preparing new programmes to provide assistance to the civilian population, who are severely affected by the crisis, and to assist the Malian government’s efforts towards the swift restoration of democracy in line with the roadmap recently adopted".

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