26/11/2004
Louis Michel starts mandate by visiting Sudan and Kenya

The newly appointed European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, will begin his mandate with an official visit to Sudan and Kenya from 26-29 November. The purpose of the mission is to meet some of the key players in the Sudanese Peace Process as well as European Union (EU) humanitarian partners and visit some EU funded projects in the field.

In all these meetings Commissioner Michel will stress the importance that all parties fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law as a precondition for stabilisation and for the distribution of emergency aid to displaced persons. The EU is the largest cash donor in the Darfur region having already having contributed €184 million.

On the eve of his visit Louis Michel said: “I have chosen to visit Sudan just a few days after taking up office because I think it is vital to see the problem with my own eyes and speak to some of the people affected. In recent weeks, despite the signing of two key agreements in Abuja on security and humanitarian aid, there has been an upsurge in violence in Darfur. While in Sudan, I will deliver some blunt messages to the warring parties, reminding them that no-one is exempt from the provisions of international humanitarian law. “

Programme

On November 26 in Khartoum, Commissioner Michel will meet with Sudanese political leaders, and humanitarian partners implementing EU projects (United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross, non governmental organisations). He will also meet the co-founder and chief editor of the Sudanese Newspaper Al-Ayyam, Mahgoub Mohammed Salih, who has just been awarded the 2005 Golden pen of freedom by the World Association of Newspapers.

On 27 November he will visit the Kalma camp near Nyala in Darfur, meets the Governor of South Darfur, EC humanitarian aid partners and in El Fashir President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jacob Kellenberger as well as the African Union Ceasefire Commission and the Governor of North Darfur.

On 28 November, meetings will include the President of the Republic of Sudan, Mr. Omer Hassan Al Bashir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, and the State Minister of International Cooperation, Ms. Ishraga Said Mahmoud.

On 29 November in Nairobi, Kenyahe will meet the President of Kenya Mr Kibaki, the President of Somalia Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Gen. Sumbeyiwo mediator in the North - South Sudan peace talks and EU non governmental partners.

Over the last 13 years, the European Commission has disbursed €500 million to the Sudan, mainly in the form of humanitarian aid. Of the €184 million made available since of the beginning of the Darfur crisis €92 million has gone to supporting the African Peace Facility