The European Commission has allocated a 150 million to war-affected populations in Sudan.

The European Commission is to allocate €150 (£125) million to war-affected populations in Sudan, despite the Sudanese Government’s refusal to ratify the revised Cotonou agreement.

The Commission welcomes the decision taken by the Council today (12 July), which will allow the EU to assist the Sudanese most in need despite the Government of Sudan’s decision not to ratify the revised Cotonou agreement – the political framework of EU and Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries’ relations.

Refusal to ratify the revised Cotonou agreement has made it legally impossible for the EU to channel development assistance to Sudan through the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) – envisaged to be a total allocation of €294.9m. In order to bridge the financing gap, the EU decided to use global funds that were not spent from the 9th EDFs.

Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, said: “Sudan is now at a critical juncture. The EU wants to see the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as the way forward to a better future for the population of Sudan.

“At the same time we call for an all inclusive process that will lead to a comprehensive peace agreement in Darfur.”

The €150m will be used to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan, in particular in the war-affected areas, including the South of Sudan and Darfur, in the border regions between North and South Sudan (the Transitional Areas) and in East Sudan.

The funding complements ongoing development and humanitarian programmes in Sudan, including over €500m in development assistance committed since 2005 and over €750m in humanitarian assistance since 2003.

In addition, the European Commission has adopted an Instrument for Stability decision (€15m) for the provision of basic services in South Sudan and support to the referendum process.

It was also reported at the weekend that a total of 221 people died in tribal fighting and other violence in Darfur in June, as the region’s two main rebel groups continued to shun peace talks.

Violence has spiked in the western territory since the insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) suspended its participation in negotiations in Qatar in early May.

The fighting, which first surged in 2003 when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms demanding more autonomy, has persisted in the face of a series of failed ceasefires and diplomatic pressure from Washington and other powers.