Darfur — The Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) inaugurated a reconstruction program, which it considers as 'a first step on the recovery road' of Darfur, on Sunday, 2 December, Radio Dabanga was informed.

The first step of the program included laying foundation stones in the villages of Arara, West Darfur and Roguetas, Central Darfur, the DRA claimed, adding the venture will cost 10 million Sudanese pounds.

Dr. Tijani Sese, DRA president, stated that the voluntary return of displaced and refugees to their homes villages and the reconstruction of Darfur are the 'overriding goals of the reconstruction program'.

He noted that the DRA is adopting the reconstruction project 'as stated in the convention of the Doha Document'.

While addressing the population of these villages, Sese asserted that security and basic services in Darfur will only be achieved once voluntary return takes place.

On his turn, the Qatari ambassador to Sudan, Rashid bin Al Nuaimi, said that this is an important phase for the reconstruction of Darfur, reaffirming his support for the program.

African Development Bank

At the same time, the African Development Bank recently inaugurated a 'Darfur peacebuilding and conflict resolution project' in El-Fasher, North Darfur, which will reportedly cost 4.5 million dollars.

The bank's representative in Sudan, Abdou Kamara, explained that the project will include the construction of water sources and the rehabilitation of existing ones.

He added the project aims at building and managing water use, and increasing the quantities of water produced. Besides, the project will build human and institutional capacities to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

Kamara said that 20 cities in the five states of Darfur will be incorporated in the upcoming phase of this project.