AU makes wish list for Sudan
2005-05-25 09:50
Addis Ababa - Short of money and equipment for its critical mission in Sudan's troubled Darfur region, the cash-strapped African Union (AU) has set out a lengthy wish list for foreign donors to consider this week.
With the Darfur operation already costing nearly four times the pan-African body's total annual budget, potential donors, including North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (Nato), the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN), will be asked to contribute a wealth of logistical support and equipment to expand the mission.
Many needs on wish list
According to an internal wish list prepared for Thursday's donor conference, the AU is seeking 116 armoured personnel carriers, 24 armoured ambulances, maintenance and recovery vehicles, 10 transport and six attack helicopters.
It is also looking for seven fixed-wing aircraft, including passenger and cargo planes and more than 850 assorted heavy-, medium- and lightweight transport trucks, four-wheel drive pick-ups, vans and regular cars, according to the list.
In addition, the AU says it needs a huge amount of communications and office equipment, including 280 computers, 200 copiers, printers and cameras and 134 global positioning devices, according to the list.
Pledging support
On Tuesday, Nato pledged support including air transport, training and intelligence sharing for the AU mission, which is to be expanded from its current 2 200—strong force to more than 7&nsbp;700 by September and perhaps 12 000 later on.