Qatar says ready to participate actively in Darfur economic development
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June 5, 2011 (DOHA) — Qatar is willing to participate actively in the
development of Darfur region once a peaceful settlement to the
conflict is reached, said the state minister for foreign affairs who
disclosed that a major economic power also pledged to participate in
this enterprise.
JPEG - 32.8 kb
File picture for Qatar’s state minister for foreign affairs during a
meeting held in El Fasher on 28 November 2010 (photo UNAMID)
Qatar which is the host country of the peace process to end the eight
year conflict in western Sudan allocated two billion dollars to
establish a development bank for Darfur.
In March 2011 a follow up committee designed to establish the bank
endorsed a feasibility study and preparations are underway to launch
the financial establishment officially soon in Khartoum.
"The capital of the bank is two billions but its operating budget will
be ten billion or more," said state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed
bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud in an interview conducted in Doha this week.
"The Emir of Qatar initiated this project because he wants to do
something for Darfur people," he further said.
Al-Mohmoud further said the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, one of
the Middle East’s most influential leaders, contacted leaders from
major countries to launch an international partnership for Darfur
development.
The president of a major power told the Emir that once peace is
reached his country would provide what it can for Darfur development,
the Qatari state minister said.
Al-Mahmoud emphasized that peace agreement should be followed
immediately by the implementation of two major things the security and
development. He pointed out that during his visits to Darfur he
noticed the urgent need for infrastructure projects particularly
roads, hospitals and schools.
The state minister said the fertile and volcanic land of Darfur can be
used in food production particularly at this time where all the world
seek to invest in food security.
During his visits to Darfur he "noticed that in El-Geneina that the
water is at a depth of one to three meters and we have companies
investing in food security around the world, why we do not undertake
such investments in Darfur?" he asked.
He went to say that Qatar can invest in agricultural projects in
Darfur and export its products stressing this would revive the
economic activity and boost Darfur development.
Darfur stakeholders this week adopted in Doha a framework document for
peace in the restive region. At the same time the government and the
rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) said they will sign a
peace agreement within three weeks. While the Justice and Equality
Movement welcomed the document as good ground for talks with Khartoum.
Al-Mahmoud urged the Sudanese parties to sign a peace agreement adding
rime is running out as the population is losing patience and
generation of kids is now growing in the camps.
Asked About Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, the leader of the Sudan Liberation
Movement, the minister said they are in touch with him, adding that he
told the mediation he is working to reunite his movement. "But our
brother Abdel Wahid should take in account the time and the suffering
population that are in dire need for peace," he stressed.
(ST)
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