African Union-Hosted Donors’ Conference

United States Welcomes African Union-Hosted Donors’ Conference

The United States welcomes the African Union-hosted donors’ conference that was held today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The co-hosting of this conference by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and African Union Commission Chair Alpha Oumar Konare sends a strong message to the Sudanese parties of the international community’s commitment to support the African Union as it expands its peacekeeping mission throughout Darfur to end violence and hasten a peaceful resolution to the humanitarian crisis there. Charles R. Snyder, Senior Representative on Sudan, represented the United States. Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer attended for NATO, as did General Jones, the Supreme Allied Commander of European Forces.

The United States has led international efforts to support peace and humanitarian relief to Sudan. The pledge made in Addis Ababa is part of our very strong and continuing commitment to achieve peace in a unified Sudan. At the Oslo Donors’ Conference last month, Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick announced our commitment of $853 million for Sudan in fiscal year 2005, with an additional $50 million requested for fiscal year 2006. For Darfur specifically, the United States has provided $635 million in humanitarian assistance in fiscal years 2003-2005.

The United States has provided to date nearly $100 million in assistance to the African Union Mission in Sudan. We have taken the lead to encourage the provision of NATO assistance for the African Union expansion. This major initiative will substantially strengthen the African Union operation and help facilitate expansion of the force to 7,700 by the August/September timeframe. We made a strong pledge at the donors’ conference in Addis Ababa today. We will provide $50 million to expand camps for the African Union peacekeepers and to provide logistical support. To support NATO efforts we will provide airlift for the Rwandan contingent of the expanded force and provide training for African forces planning to deploy. All of this underscores the commitment of the United States to work with the international community and the Sudanese parties to achieve peace in a unified Sudan.

We also welcome announcements by the European Union and Canada of additional assistance to the African Union in Darfur.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/561 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC May 26, 2005