Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen has pledged a further contribution of €10 million to the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS). AMIS's mandate includes protecting civilians under threat in Darfur.
This brings the Netherlands' total contribution to €48.8 million. Speaking at the monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers last Monday, Mr Verhagen expressed his concern about the situation in Darfur and called for sanctions against the Sudanese government. He also saw a role for the EU in funding AMIS.
Helping to improve the situation in Sudan and the Horn of Africa is a priority for the Netherlands. Supporting AMIS is an important part of this effort. The African Union itself faces a shortage of funds.
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