FT.com / World - China backs Sudan’s $300m Darfur payment

A $200m loan from China will form the bulk of a compensation payment the government of Sudan has pledged to make to the beleaguered Darfur region, according to former US president Jimmy Carter, who is visiting the country.

Mr Carter said on Wednesday that Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s president, made the pledge during talks with him and other members of a visiting group of elder statesmen.

“He promised us there would be $300m (€212m, £147m) in all coming to the Darfur region in compensation: $100m coming from the government and $200m to be a loan from the Chinese,” Mr Carter was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Sudan’s foreign ministry was not able to confirm the pledge or provide any further details but an official announcement was expected on Wednesday night. China’s embassy in Khartoum was closed for a Chinese national holiday.

If the loan from China is provided specifically for compensation, it would mark a significant departure for a country whose financial support to African countries is normally provided for trade and infrastructure projects.
By Barney Jopson in Nairobi.Read...

FT.com / World - China backs Sudan’s $300m Darfur payment