The European Union will provide €12 million to support observers monitoring a ceasefire between Sudan's government and two rebel groups in Darfur, the European Commission said today.
The 12-month funding was requested by the African Union, which is leading the international mission of up to 120 observers and a possible protection force of 270 soldiers.
"We believe that the success of this mission is crucial . . . to deliver humanitarian assistance which is very much needed at this time in Darfur," said Mr Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, spokesman for the EU executive.
Fighting has raged for over a year in the Darfur region, where hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes and abandoned farms, mostly to avoid the government-backed Janjaweed gangs.
A deal signed on May 28th provided for an international ceasefire commission and the despatch of civilians and troops to monitor ceasefire violations in the region's key flashpoints.
Mr Ellermann-Kingombe told a news briefing that EU member states were considering sending six to nine observers to be part of the mission. He said the EU funding, which will cover roughly half of the observer mission's budget, will be released from the bloc's recently established African Peace Facility.
The aim of the €250 million facility is to promote African solutions to African crises, encourage African solidarity and create conditions for economic development.