The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged its continued commitment to supporting Sudan through its ongoing civil conflict. This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting in Cairo, Egypt, between Rufus N. Darkortey, the Bank’s Executive Director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, and Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel, Sudan’s Finance Minister and Governor of the African Development Bank.
The meeting, which was held outside Sudan due to the ongoing civil conflict, focused on the Bank’s ongoing support for Sudan, identifying new priorities, and discussing humanitarian aid.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts to deliver aid to Darfur, one of the conflict zones, Darkortey stressed the need for expanded access to humanitarian assistance across the entire country. He also urged the protection of existing investments in Sudan financed by the Bank and other development partners.
“The Bank will continue to support Sudan in reducing fragility, stabilising the economy, and fostering recovery,” said Darkortey, acknowledging the severe impact of the conflict on the country.
The meeting served as a positive opportunity to acknowledge the success of a recent humanitarian donor conference in Paris, where a significant $2.13 billion was pledged for Sudan.
Darkortey outlined the Bank’s multifaceted support for Sudan, encompassing both national and regional initiatives. The AfDB, which leverages resources from member countries, international markets, and loan repayments, is supporting a critical $74 million Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project. This project, implemented by the World Food Programme, aims to enhance food security and wheat production in Sudan, with the long-term goal of transforming the country into a net wheat exporter.
The Bank has also committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund due to the immediate needs created by the conflict. These funds will directly support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities within Sudan.
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Beyond Sudan’s borders, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilization and recovery of refugees and host communities within the Lake Chad Basin. This is in an effort to address the regional displacement crisis stemming from the conflict in Sudan.
Sudan’s Finance Minister, Dr. Fediel, expressed his deep appreciation to the Bank and its President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, for their unwavering support in addressing Sudan’s immediate needs. He emphasized the ongoing need for humanitarian assistance, along with technical support to assess the conflict’s long-term impact as peace is established. With the planting season approaching, Dr. Fediel emphasized the urgent need for agricultural support, including seeds and fertilizers, to bolster food security.
Dr. Fediel also reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the African Development Bank. This commitment includes a pledge to settle outstanding debt and contribute financially to the upcoming ADF-17 replenishment cycle, a critical initiative for mobilizing resources for development projects across Africa.