Brussels, 18/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU stated its determination to provide further logistical support to the African Union (AU) peace-keeping mission in Darfur, the province in western Sudan devastated by civil war. No decision has yet been taken and reflection continues on the arrangements for support. Unlike NATO, the EU is already present in Darfur (military observers and civil and military planners, financial assistance). It has therefore confirmed that it is willing to do more but will not be sending troops to the region.
During a day of talks in Brussels, the president of the AU Commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré, stressed how important it was to bring security to the province as soon as possible as it is a region that is prey to a serious humanitarian crisis. He also stressed the need to provide international community support to the African Union to achieve this. The EU has proposed additional aid for this mission in Darfur, the High Representative for EU external policy, Javier Solana, said after receiving Mr Konaré. EU aid will mainly be for police training and the sending of experts, air transport and logistical support. Mr Solana denied that there were problems of coordination with NATO. All the contributors, the EU, NATO, and the Member States will be meeting at the end of the month (on 26 May in Addis Abeba) to see how it is possible to arrange things in the best possible way, Mr Solana explained. The AU peace and security council decided end April to increase by end September the numbers of the AU peace force in Darfur (AMIS) from 3,320 to 7,731.
Mr Konaré also met the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, to discuss EU support for the EU mission in Darfur. According to Mr Michel, Mr Konaré drew attention to the need for greater logistic support, especially for transport, equipment and housing of troops. Mr Michel went on to say that they have acted on this request and that, on the Commission side, they will see what it is possible to do. The matter will be discussed with Mr Solana.