EU and the African Union signed a new funding agreement to contribute €50 million from the African Peace Facility to the African Union-led operation in the Central African Republic, Mission Internationale de Soutien à la Centrafrique sous Conduite Africaine ( MISCA). The agreement was signed by Ambassador Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security in Addis Ababa. A further contribution of €25 million is in the pipeline.
The new funding covers the costs of allowances, accommodation and food for troops deployed in the field, as well as the salaries of civilian MISCA personnel and various operational costs such as transport, communication or medical services.
Subject to an on-going evaluation of current needs, the EU also stands ready to support the electoral process in the CAR with around €20 million. This support will go towards putting in place voter registration, electoral operations (such as printing ballot papers, providing training, equipment and staff, as well as voter education) and involving civil society groups as domestic election observers.
The 4th EU-Africa Summit will take place in Brussels on 2-3 April 2014, bringing African and EU leaders together under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”.
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