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EU Gives Sh23b for Peace Plan

The East African Standard (Nairobi)
NEWS
April 2, 2004
Posted to the web April 2, 2004

By James Anyanzwa
Nairobi
The European Union (EU) has donated Sh23.75 billion for peace-keeping
operations in Africa.
The move comes less than nine months after the African Union launched the Peace
Facility initiative under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad).
Mr Paul Nielson, the EU's Commissioner for Development Aid and Humanitarian
Affairs in Kenya said in a statement that the money would be used to support
peace operations in Africa.
Security
"I see the EU's speedy approval of the Peace Facility funding as a recognition
of the credibility and authority with which the African Union is taking
responsibility in the area of peace and security," Nielson said.
The facility, which is based on the principles of solidarity and local
ownership, provides an important instrument for the promotion of peace in
Africa.
Nielson said the move by African countries to donate 15 per cent of their
allocations from the European Development Fund to the peace facility has helped
to boost the drive for improved security.

   

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