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Cash crunch may cripple AU mission in Sudan
A CHRONIC lack of funds could cripple the strengthened African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Sudan's restive western region of Darfur.
But funding is a major constraint, he said in a report to the 45th session of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).
Reviewing operations of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) over the past year, the AU chief said it required a budget of US$252.4 million for July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 operation, but had received only US$65.4 million as at the end of October 2005.
Konare said the funds received under the enhanced AMIS were almost exhausted, adding that as a result of the cash constraints, the AU had been forced to cut the allowances paid to its military observers.
"The AMIS experience has demonstrated the difficulty to mount large peace support operations for a long period of time without reliable sources of funding", he explained.
A significant shortfall remains on pledges totalling US$312.7 million, including contributions in kind, made during a Pledging Conference on May 26, 2005, in Addis Ababa.
A recent contribution agreement between the AU and the European Union (EU) has reduced the shortfall by making available an additional Euro 70 million (US$84 million) from the Africa Peace Facility.
In addition, Konare said some US$12.03 million was being expected
from Canada for aviation fuel and civilian police accommodation.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has offered US$6 million to cover ground fuel, while France would chip in one million dollars to cover other operational expenses.
These contributions, totalling US$103.03 million, would cover much of the mission's expenditures such as salaries, allowances and operational expenditures, Konare said.
But an additional US$4.6 million would still be required to cover other budgetary lines and to sustain the mission up to March 31, 2006.
Konare thanked AU partners for their logistical support in transporting troops and other workers to Darfur and helping to maintain the mission.
NATO and EU countries provided airlifts for three battalions from Nigeria, three battalions from Rwanda, one battalion from Senegal and one company from Gambia.
These partners would also airlift troops during the rotation scheduled from February to April 2006.
Konare equally paid tribute to AU member-states that had contributed troops and police for their commitment and sacrifice.
Konare also warned that the current tension between neighbouring Chad and Sudan was complicating the conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur.
He warned that the recent attack on Adre, a Chadian border town, by Chadian rebels had the potential to escalate the tension between Chad and Sudan.
Chad has accused Sudan of involvement in the attack on December 18, last year, but Khartoum has denied the charge.
In his report to the PSC on the political, security, military, humanitarian and human rights developments in Darfur, Konare said the tension between the two countries could destabilise the entire border region and further complicate the already complex conflict in Darfur.
An Extraordinary Summit of the Central African Monetary and Economic Community (CEMAC), held on January 4 in N'djamena, reviewed the situation and requested the PSC to urgently examine the grave developments.
Diplomatic sources said deserters from Chad's national army have entrenched themselves along the border and established a movement called the "Base for Change, National Unity and Democracy".
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