EU Commissioner to announce €100 million ‘Special Measure’ for Sudan

During a visit to Sudan today, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica will discuss increased EU cooperation with Sudan on issues of common interest.

He also will announce a €100 million Special Measure for the country, to be implemented under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. This Trust Fund was set up last year to tackle instability and the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement.

As reported by Radio Dabanga on 18 February, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour discussed the conflicts in Sudan and the country’s cooperation with the European Union at a meeting in Brussels. The European Commission agreed to prepare a €100 million package to support Sudan in tackling irregular migration to Europe.

Today’s EU statement says that the new funding will focus on reducing poverty, promoting peace and good governance, supporting the creation of jobs and improving the delivery of basic services (such as education and health) in areas affected by insecurity and experiencing large migratory flows. It will target the peripheral and conflict-affected areas such as Darfur, East Sudan and the Transitional Areas of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

Ahead of his visit, Commissioner Mimica said: “More than ten years after the start of the Darfur conflict, the level of displacement in Sudan remains huge, with over three million internally displaced persons still living within its borders. Our new support of €100 million will essentially focus on improving the living conditions for those who call Sudan home, helping returnees to the country to reintegrate back into society, and improving security at the borders.”

Commissioner Mimica’s visit aims to pave the way for the identification of concrete priorities and actions that will include support to improve the living conditions of refugees, internally displaced persons, their host communities, and other vulnerable groups, support to enhance border controls, the fight and prevention of human trafficking and smuggling and the reintegration of returnees, the statement concludes.