Doha: The outcome of the International Donor Conference for Development and Reconstruction in Darfur, due to be held in Doha next Sunday, will be of high importance to the people of the region, a Sudanese official has told Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The Minister of State at the Presidency of Sudan and the head of delegation of the government in the Darfur peace negotiations, Dr Amin Hassan Omar in a statement to QNA yesterday, said the Darfur region desperately needs help from Arab and Muslim countries to achieve real development in the region and put an end to fighting, hoping that the Arab and Islamic countries shoulder their responsibility toward Sudan to help it achieve the desired stability.
He praised efforts by the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the government and people of Qatar, who extended all support and assistance to Sudan, pointing to Doha’s efforts over three years to lead the Darfur peace negotiations despite numerous obstacles encountered.
He said the efforts by the Emir were highly lauded by all Sudanese officials, led by President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. Dr Omar added that Qatari-Sudanese relations will get a boost when another protocol related to political participation and absorbing armed movements is finally signed. On the Sudanese government’s role to solve the Darfur issue, Dr Omar said the government had already met all its commitments.
“It pledged to pump $2.6bn for the development of the region, but we need more partners, and that is why we rely so much on the donors’ conference to provide approximately $5bn additional to fulfil all the requirements of development in the region.”
He said the conference is the first national, regional and international coordinated action to deal with the issue, especially in terms of development, which is the key issue and the basis of the problem in a region where deteriorating environmental conditions made it harder for people to lead a life.
He said when development starts even in the secure parts, it will be more possible to deal with the root of the problem by calming down tribal conflicts so that people would be assured there is hope and solutions that are put into implementation.
The conference is significant as it provides financial support after identifying needs and reconstruction priorities, which should bring Darfur to a new phase of stability and development. It is also important as over 40 countries and a large number of regional and international organisations will take part along with Qatar.
The Peninsula
