EU mobilises funds to support African Union peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan

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The European Commission welcomes the final approval by EU Member States of a proposal to mobilise €12 million in support of an Africa Union peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan. The funding will support the rapid deployment and operations of an African Union led observer mission that will monitor the implementation of the recent cease-fire agreement in Darfur. Funds will for the first time be mobilised through the recently established Africa Peace Facility. The Peace Facility provides € 250 million from the European Development Fund to support African led peacekeeping operations in Africa.

Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid Poul Nielson said: "Resolving conflicts in Africa and bringing peace to the continent will first of all require effective and responsible leadership by the Africans. The African Union has shown just that in its response to the Darfur crisis. This is greatly encouraging and raises prospects not only of a lasting end to the conflict in Darfur but for peace across the African continent. I also take great satisfaction in the swiftness[1] with which the EU has dealt with the African Union request. The Peace Facility is a new instrument that could become an important tool in the construction of the new peace and security agenda in Africa. Member States have today shown that they are willing to allow this new instrument to play just that role and that the EU will be a credible partner in the African Unions aspiration's to assume the necessary leadership of this peace and security agenda."

The EU will provide €12 million in support of the African Union observer mission to Darfur for a period of 12 months. The observer mission will comprise up to 120 observers and a possible protection force of 270 military personnel. The observers will support the implementation of the cease-fire agreement signed by the parties to the Darfur conflict in Addis Ababa on 28 May 2004. In particular the Mission is expected to: (i) ensure that the rules and provisions of the ceasefire are implemented; (ii) define routes for the movement of forces to reduce the risks of incidents; (iii) assess requirements for de-mining operations; and (iv) receive, verify and judge complaints related to possible violations of the ceasefire. The observer mission is currently being deployed in Sudan. A successful implementation of the ceasefire agreement is a precondition if vital humanitarian aid is to reach the millions of Sudanese that have been affected by the conflict.

The EU contribution to the African Union observer mission is mobilised from the African Peace Facility which was established on 19 April 2004. €250 million have been made available for the African Peace Facility from the 9th European Development Fund. The main objectives of the Peace Facility are to: (i) promote African solutions to African crises by providing the African Union with the "financial muscle" to back up its political resolve with concrete acts; (ii) encourage African solidarity. African states have been contributing to the PF - also those not involved in conflict resolution. This expression of solidarity marks a recognition that peace and stability will be to the benefit of the continent as a whole; and (iii) create the necessary conditions for development. Support to peace keeping must be seen as an integral part of fostering development. The facility is designed to support African led, operated and staffed peacekeeping initiatives in Africa. In addition, the Facility will also contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of the Africa Union and its sub-regional organizations to effectively design, plan and implement peace operations on the continent.

The European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO, is also providing substantial humanitarian aid to the victims of the Darfur conflict. A two-fold response has been organised. A total of €13.2 million euro have been allocated to meet the needs of people affected by the conflict in the Darfur region. Furthermore €6 million have been allocated for relief to the Sudanese refugees that have fled to Chad as well as local host communities, many of which are impoverished.


[1] The African Union submitted its funding request to the EU on 28 May 2004

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• EU Presidency Statement - Financing of UNAMSIL and UNOCI (15/10/2004)
• Commissioners Nielson and Patten met UN Special Representative for Darfur (28/9/2004)
• EU humanitarian aid for the crisis in Darfur, Sudan (25/8/2004)
• GAERC on Sudan - Council conclusions (26/7/2004)
• EU humanitarian aid for victims of Darfur crisis in Sudan and Chad (12/7/2004)
• EUHR Solana announces the sending of EU observers to the Darfur region (Sudan) (21/6/2004)
• The humanitarian crisis in Greater Darfur, Sudan - ECHO's response (3/6/2004)
• EU Presidency declaration on the launch of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union  (25/5/2004)