May 29th, 2008 — On January 9, 2005, the then Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) marking the end of over 20 years of civil war. The signing was followed by the formation of two Sudanese governments: the Government of National Unity (GoNU) with members from North and South; and the largely autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).
In April that same year international donors gathered in Oslo and pledged $4.5 billion to address development and humanitarian needs across Sudan. Donors pledged $508 million for two Multi-Donor Trust Funds, the MDTF-National (MDTF-N) and the MDTF for Southern Sudan (MDTF-S). This was later topped up to a total of $626 million. The GoNU, the GoSS and the donors asked the World Bank to administer the MDTFs, given the Bank’s strong fiduciary control mechanisms.
Returning to Sudan
A messenger provides information about the census.
After a more than 10 year absence from Sudan1, the World Bank re-opened its office in Khartoum in 2005, and for the first time established an office in Juba, Southern Sudan. Three years later, the World Bank has launched 25 MDTF projects. Agreements are signed to support the projects with about $430 million, of which about $212 million is already disbursed.
The projects are designed to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, on the basis of needs previously identified by the World Bank and the United Nations, in close cooperation with the authorities and in such a way as to provide ownership or build capacity within the government structures. The GoNU and the GoSS both provide counterpart funding to MDTF projects, with GoNU contributing about two dollars for every one dollar of MDTF funds, and GoSS matching MDTF funding. Where the governments have the capacity, they implement the projects, otherwise implementation is contracted to UN agencies, private companies and NGOs.
Supporting peace through development
The Legislative Assembly of Southern Sudan
As a requirement of the CPA, Sudan’s fifth population census was finalized on May 6, 2008. It also prepares Sudan for the elections scheduled for 2009. Being the first census since 1993, the demographic, economic and social data gathered are of great use to development planning. The census was supported with $35.3 million from the two MDTFs. Funds went to mapping counties; training trainers, supervisors and enumerators; and producing census material.
In addition, in 2007, the Sudan MDTFs contributed about $40 million to replace some six circulating currencies in the country by a new national currency - also mandated by the CPA.
In Southern Sudan, the MDTF-S has disbursed over $42 million to emergency transport and infrastructure needs. The funds have gone to, amongst other things, the rehabilitation of all 47 wards at the Juba Teaching Hospital, the building and renovation of government ministries, and the construction of a new parliament for Southern Sudan.
Through a Community Development Fund in Three Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile States) Kassala, and North Kordofan, the MDTF-N has supported the rehabilitation and building of basic health centers, primary schools, community centers, and water supply stations in 200 poor and remote rural communities. A million people are expected to benefit from this community-driven project in war-affected and the least developed areas in Northern Sudan.
A CDF-supported school before and after rehabilitation
Exceeding expectations
In early May 2008, Sudanese authorities, international organizations and donors again met in Oslo, for the annual Sudan Consortium. The consortium welcomed progress made in implementing the CPA, and the good performance of the MDTFs was appreciated. The Consortium also discussed the situation in Darfur, and agreed that development, political stability and security go hand in hand. When the security situation allows, the World Bank will re-start its assessment of development needs in Darfur.
Donors pledged $4.8 billion to humanitarian and development needs in Sudan for the next four years, exceeding expectations by pledging $300 million more than in Oslo in 2005. About $650 million of the 2008 pledges is expected to be channeled through the two MDTFs, allowing the start up of new projects already prepared, and the scaling up of existing projects.
The Tipping point
Sudan is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. But poverty is pervasive in many parts of the country, including Darfur, the Three Areas and the South, with development indicators on par with the poorest countries in the world. Peace in the country remains fragile.
Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President of the Africa Region addressing the Sudan Consortium
“Economically, socially and politically Sudan is at a tipping point,” World Bank Africa Region Vice President Obiageli Ezekwesili said during an address to the Sudan Consortium in Oslo. “If Sudan is, as we hope, to tip in the direction of sustainable development, it needs a real partnership from the international community.”
“But we all also need to recognize that outsiders cannot build Sudan,” Ezekwesili added. “Only the Sudanese themselves can deliver the coherence necessary for Sudan to begin to realize the potential of the country.”
With support to Fragile States one of the six key themes identified by World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick, the World Bank has committed to sustaining and strengthening its support and partnership to Sudan.
Due to Sudan’s large unpaid debts, the World Bank has had no regular program in Sudan since 1993.
1 Due to Sudan's large unpaid debts, the World Bank has had no regular program in Sudan since 1993.
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