EU ambassadors to visit Darfur

The British ambassador to Khartoum revealed he met with Tijani Sese, head of of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) recently, to discuss about the visit of EU ambassadors to Darfur next week, Radio Dabanga has learned. In a press statement the ambassador, Peter Tibber, said the DRA requested him to play an active role in revitalizing the bilateral relations between Khartoum and London. Tibber also said that he discussed the current arrangements for the upcoming donors’ conference in Doha, scheduled for December, with the head of the DRA. In addition, the ambassador stressed Britain’s support to the displaced people and to the development projects in Darfur. Besides, he expressed Britain’s support to the return of displaced people to their areas of origin, after appropriate measures are put in place and circumstances allow them to return. ‘Voluntary return villages’ On his turn, Tijani Sese announced in a press statement that the first phase of the reconstruction of ‘voluntary return villages’ in Darfur will start in November this year. He added that the first phase of this project will be executed with funds from Qatar and that costs are estimated at US$31 million. The costs of the second phase, he continued, are estimated at US$529 million. Dr. Tijani Sese said he received office equipment, in the presence of the director of US Aid, worth approximately US$100.000 from the US government. Sese explained to the attendees of the ceremony that the US government has been interested in the Darfur issue, referring to their interest to improve security in the region. He continued that the DRA is currently in the process of planning the donors’ conference in Doha scheduled for December, and that the US government promised to provide the necessary support. The US charge d’affaires affirmed his government’s commitment to offer the necessary support to the DRA, especially in the area of capacity building and implementation of workshops.