10/3/2006
Sudan’s Reconstruction

The Sudan Consortium, an advisory group led by the World Bank and United Nations, tasked with the follow-up of the donors’ conference for Sudan in Oslo in April 2005, met in Paris on March 9 and 10 at World Bank headquarters.

The purpose of the conference is to ensure coordination of international contributions to Sudan’s reconstruction.  In Oslo donors committed to provide $4.5 billion over two years to assist in the implementation of the Nairobi peace plan signed on January 9, 2005 between the Sudanese government and the rebellion in the south, the SPLM led by John Garang.

The Sudanese delegation, led by Salva Kiir, First Vice President of Sudan and President of South Sudan, comprises four ministers from the national unity government (finance, foreign affairs, cooperation and humanitarian affairs) and several ministers from the South Sudan government, including Rebecca Garang, John Garang’s widow.

Brigitte Girardin, Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development and Francophony, chaired on behalf of France the opening session of the Consortium

In April 2005 France announced in Oslo a bilateral contribution of 35 million euros for 2005-2007.  In addition the French share of European Union aid for Sudan amounts to about 120 million euros in the same period.