EU to finance Darfur ceasefire mission

The Financial Times

10 June 2004

The European Union has decided to co-finance an African-led peacekeeping mission to monitor the ceasefire in Darfur, Sudan, marking a new strategy by EU member states to build up such forces under the auspices of the Africa Union.

More than 10,000 people have died in Darfur and more than one million have been forced to flee during a rebellion led by pro-government Arab militias that started last year. A ceasefire was signed late last month in Adidas Ababa, after pressure from the US, Britain and other countries.

The EU's decision to finance the mission was made after the Africa Union (AU), which represents 53 countries on the continent, asked the EU last month to support an observer and peacekeeping mission in Darfur for up to 12 months.

The AU mission will consist of 120 observers and a protection force of 270 military personnel. Their main task will be to implement the ceasefire, which is crucial to resuming the flo w of humanitarian aid to millions of Sudanese affected by the conflict. The EU said it would send six observers as well, to assist and train. The EU will finance the Dafur mission through its Africa Peace Facility, which was set up in April to support African peacekeeping and conflict prevention.

"Resolving conflicts in Africa and bringing peace to the continent will first of all require effective and responsible leadership by the Africans," said Poul Nielson, the EU's development and humanitarian aid commissioner.