Donors attending a conference in Doha on development in Darfur have pledged $3.6 billion for Darfur, with Qatar pledging to pay half billion dollars. Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Ahmed Bin Abdullah A’al-Mahmoud, while reading out the final communiqué yesterday affirmed the adoption of a mechanism to follow up on the donors’ pledges, stating that the mechanism will manage funds in a transparent manner. He said a reconstruction management was also set up led by Qatar, the Sudanese government and the UN. The final communiqué called on the Sudanese government to ensure the free movement for non-governmental partners to implement strategic projects. The final communiqué also provides for a project committee led by Qatar, with Sudan and Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) as members to speed up development in Darfur. A’al Mahmoud said Qatar will pay $500 million for reconstruction in Darfur. He also highlighted Qatar’s efforts to establish Darfur development bank with a billion dollars in capital. Representatives of donor countries began to declare their pledges on the second day of the conference, with Germany having pledged $60 million Euro. Many Arab and international organizations also pledged to assist in the fields of services such as health, water, education and capacity building in Darfur. Other organizations pledged to rehabilitate villages for IDP returns as well as projects for sustainable development at these villages. Pledges of various organizations for Darfur ranged between $300,000 to $48 million dollars. Meanwhile, Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha has lauded the role of Qatar in making the donor conference a success to ensure development and reconstruction in Darfur. Taha returned home yesterday from Qatar after participating in the conclusion of an agreement between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement. Ahmed Saad Omer, Cabinet Affairs Minister told reporters at Khartoum airport that the donor conference was attended by over 400 representatives, lauding the role undertaken by Qatar to support peace and stability in Darfur. Mohamed Bushara Dousa, Justice Minister said the conference was important and was well prepared by Qatar, DRA and the Sudanese government. He described the First Vice President’s visit to Qatar as successful and fruitful and it will boost cooperation between the two countries. Source : Qatar Chronicle

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