OIC lays groundwork for Darfur reconstruction
Ambassador Atta Al-Mannan, assistant secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, addressing a press conference at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on Sunday. (AN photo by Ghazi Mahdi)
Published: Mar 1, 2010 23:35 Updated: Mar 1, 2010 23:38
JEDDAH: The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on Sunday spelled out the goals of an international donors’ conference for the reconstruction of Darfur to be held in Cairo on March 21.
“Economic disparity is at the heart of the Darfur conflict, and the Cairo conference will try to solve these problems,” Atta Al-Mannan, OIC assistant secretary-general for cultural affairs, told a press conference at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah.
He said Egypt and Turkey would jointly head the conference. “Saudi Arabia and Sudan are also part of the organizing body,” he added.
“The OIC’s target is to raise up to $2 billion for Darfur in pledges of financial assistance and investment. The money will be distributed to six essential projects deemed necessary to secure the voluntary return of displaced people in camps in various parts of the territory.”
The Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement, Darfur’s most powerful rebel group, last week signed a truce after a year of internationally sponsored negotiations, raising hopes the bloody seven-year conflict could draw to a close.
After the signing ceremony in the Qatari capital Doha attended by Sudanese President Omar Bashir and rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim, the international sponsors of the talks announced a $1 billion development fund for the war-ravaged region.
There are a number of projects planned for Darfur’s reconstruction and development, including water supply, roads, agriculture, housing, rural development and women’s empowerment. Permanent shelters for Darfur’s displaced people have taken priority in terms of money allocated for reconstruction projects.
The OIC has allocated more than $600 million for building and constructing model villages. “This project comes within the context of the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) return to their home villages in Darfur. Reconstruction of decent houses is an absolute prerequisite for the return to take place,” Al-Mannan said.
“The OIC set up a committee in January to study the situation in Darfur. Since last year the region has had no major conflicts. Under the housing and physical planning project, the intention is to construct 120 villages all over Darfur with an average of 400 houses per village in addition to basic social services,” Al-Mannan told Arab News.
All OIC member states will participate in the Cairo conference. Non-members and private donors from around the world will also attend.
The conference is considered one of the largest events to be organized by the OIC, according to Al-Mannan.
“It is integrated with the organization’s policy which aims at promoting development and stability in member states. It also comes in response to directives made by the leaders of member states in mobilizing necessary efforts in order to supplement collaboration and integration in the Islamic world.”
