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Mali conflict: Donors tackle $950m campaign budget Mali conflict: Donor conference raises $455m
(35 minutes later)
International donors meeting in Ethiopia have been making pledges towards a $950m (£605m) budget set for an international campaign tackling Islamist militants in Mali. International donors meeting in Ethiopia have pledged $455.53m (£289m) for an international campaign tackling Islamist militants in Mali.
Hundreds of millions have so far been promised for aid projects and the African-led Afisma force set to take over from French troops in Mali. The pledges for aid projects and the African-led Afisma force that is expected to take over from French troops in the country is about half the figure African leaders had requested.
French and Malian troops are securing Timbuktu after seizing it on Monday.French and Malian troops are securing Timbuktu after seizing it on Monday.
They are then expected to focus on the last rebel stronghold, Kidal.They are then expected to focus on the last rebel stronghold, Kidal.
'Swift response''Swift response'
The international donors' conference is being held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The international donor conference was held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
At the opening of the meeting, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the budget for the multinational force's operation would be $950m - more than double the African Union's initial estimate.At the opening of the meeting, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the budget for the multinational force's operation would be $950m - more than double the African Union's initial estimate.
The AU pledged $50m at its summit at the same venue on Monday, and it was hoped the UN and some of the 60 to 70 donors invited to the conference would bolster the funding. Some 60 to 70 donors had been invited to the conference to bolster the funding.
According to a list of donations carried on the AU's Twitter account on Tuesday, Japan pledged $120m, the US $96m and Germany $20m.According to a list of donations carried on the AU's Twitter account on Tuesday, Japan pledged $120m, the US $96m and Germany $20m.
India and China pledged $1m each, the AU said, the same as Sierra Leone, which will also contribute 650 troops to African-led International Support Mission to Mali (Afisma).India and China pledged $1m each, the AU said, the same as Sierra Leone, which will also contribute 650 troops to African-led International Support Mission to Mali (Afisma).
The national pledges cover Afisma, humanitarian assistance, logistics, improving security and the future development of Mali.The national pledges cover Afisma, humanitarian assistance, logistics, improving security and the future development of Mali.
The chairwoman of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, told delegates that they had gathered "to express solidarity with the Republic of Mali and its people".The chairwoman of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, told delegates that they had gathered "to express solidarity with the Republic of Mali and its people".
She said: "We all know the gravity of the crisis. It is a situation that requires a swift and effective international response, for it threatens Mali, the region, the continent and even beyond."She said: "We all know the gravity of the crisis. It is a situation that requires a swift and effective international response, for it threatens Mali, the region, the continent and even beyond."
France's Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said impressive progress had been made but that this did not mean the danger was over.
Mr Fabius also said credible elections in Mali would be vital to achieving sustainable peace in the country.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said money would also be needed to fund post-conflict projects.Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said money would also be needed to fund post-conflict projects.
The BBC's James Copnall, who is in the Ethiopian capital, says there is a general recognition that Mali will not become peaceful again without a democratic transformation, but that for the moment the focus is firmly on finding the money needed by the military force.The BBC's James Copnall, who is in the Ethiopian capital, says there is a general recognition that Mali will not become peaceful again without a democratic transformation, but that for the moment the focus is firmly on finding the money needed by the military force.
On Tuesday, another conference in Brussels is due to decide on which countries will contribute troops for an EU military training mission for Mali.On Tuesday, another conference in Brussels is due to decide on which countries will contribute troops for an EU military training mission for Mali.
The UK has already said it will contribute to the mission. Government sources told the BBC a British team of about 40 military advisers would be sent to Mali. The UK had already said it would contribute to the training mission and, on Tuesday, the government said href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21240676" >around 350 British military personnel would be deployed to Mali and West Africa in a supporting role for French forces.
It said the UK would also allow allies to operate air refuelling flights out of the UK.
'No shots fired''No shots fired'
Life appeared to be returning closer to normal in Timbuktu on Tuesday, with French and Malian troops in control of the streets of the historic city, although electricity and phone lines were still cut and the AFP news agency reported some looting of shops.Life appeared to be returning closer to normal in Timbuktu on Tuesday, with French and Malian troops in control of the streets of the historic city, although electricity and phone lines were still cut and the AFP news agency reported some looting of shops.
On Monday, about 1,000 French soldiers - including paratroopers - and 200 Malian troops seized Timbuktu airport and entered the city.On Monday, about 1,000 French soldiers - including paratroopers - and 200 Malian troops seized Timbuktu airport and entered the city.
Col Frederic Gout, head of French helicopter operations at Timbuktu, told AFP: "There were no shots fired, no blood spilt. Not even passive resistance with traps."Col Frederic Gout, head of French helicopter operations at Timbuktu, told AFP: "There were no shots fired, no blood spilt. Not even passive resistance with traps."
Welcoming the French and Malian force, residents said that the Islamist militants had left several days earlier, following French air strikes on their bases.Welcoming the French and Malian force, residents said that the Islamist militants had left several days earlier, following French air strikes on their bases.
As they withdrew into the desert, the Islamist fighters set fire to several buildings, including a library containing priceless manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th Century.As they withdrew into the desert, the Islamist fighters set fire to several buildings, including a library containing priceless manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th Century.
The Ahmed Baba institute holds about 30,000 manuscripts and includes those detailing centuries of life in the city, Mali and neighbouring countries.
Ali Baba, a worker at the institute, told Sky News that more than 3,000 manuscripts had been destroyed.
The recovery of Timbuktu followed the swift capture by French and Malian forces of Gao on Saturday.The recovery of Timbuktu followed the swift capture by French and Malian forces of Gao on Saturday.
Islamist militants took advantage of a coup last year to seize the vast north of Mali and impose a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, on its inhabitants.Islamist militants took advantage of a coup last year to seize the vast north of Mali and impose a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, on its inhabitants.
France - the former colonial power - launched a military operation this month after militants looked to be threatening the south, including the capital Bamako.France - the former colonial power - launched a military operation this month after militants looked to be threatening the south, including the capital Bamako.
FearFear
Meanwhile, reports from Kidal - home of the head of Ansar Dine, the main militant group in northern Mali - suggest that the group may have already lost control there.Meanwhile, reports from Kidal - home of the head of Ansar Dine, the main militant group in northern Mali - suggest that the group may have already lost control there.
The secular Tuareg rebel group MNLA said it had taken charge.The secular Tuareg rebel group MNLA said it had taken charge.
On Tuesday, the MNLA said on its website that it had taken control of six other towns, including Lere.On Tuesday, the MNLA said on its website that it had taken control of six other towns, including Lere.
It said it was prepared to work with the French "to eradicate terrorist groups" in the north but that it would not allow the return of the Malian army, which it accused of "crimes against the civilian population".It said it was prepared to work with the French "to eradicate terrorist groups" in the north but that it would not allow the return of the Malian army, which it accused of "crimes against the civilian population".
France has 2,900 soldiers in Mali, with almost 8,000 African troops expected to take over, although the deployment has been slow.France has 2,900 soldiers in Mali, with almost 8,000 African troops expected to take over, although the deployment has been slow.
The BBC's Mark Doyle, in Bandiagara, some 320km (200 miles) south of Timbuktu, says there is still great fear among the people outside of the main population centres.The BBC's Mark Doyle, in Bandiagara, some 320km (200 miles) south of Timbuktu, says there is still great fear among the people outside of the main population centres.
No-one is sure where the Islamist fighters have gone, he says, and there are concerns that another phase of the war could now begin - one of hit-and-run attacks or suicide bombings.No-one is sure where the Islamist fighters have gone, he says, and there are concerns that another phase of the war could now begin - one of hit-and-run attacks or suicide bombings.
Are you in Timbuktu? Do you live in Mali? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Timbuktu? Do you live in Mali? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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