 KHARTOUM - Arab League countries were urged to fulfil their pledges to bolster the ailing peacekeeping force in Darfur during a meeting held Monday in Khartoum to review last year’s Arab summit. ‘Arab countries are urged to stand by their commitments in favour of an African force,’ the summit’s follow-up committee said in a statement issued after a brief meeting in the Sudanese capital.
| So far, only 10 percent of the 150 million dollars pledged in Khartoum last year for the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Darfur has been paid up. |
Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol also said at the opening of the meeting that he banked on ‘better Arab financial effort to support the African force.’ So far, only 10 percent of the 150 million dollars pledged in Khartoum last year for the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Darfur has been paid up.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa conceded on Sunday that commitments -- notably to assist the Palestinians, Somalis and people of Sudan’s Darfur region -- had not been met. ‘We did what we could in the present circumstances,’ the secretary general told reporters upon arrival. Mussa however insisted he remained confident that more funding was in the pipeline. ‘We have many pledges and we are monitoring this very closely with the African Union.’
| Oh yes, the check's in the mail! |
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