EU pledges EUR 44 m aid at Somalia conference

(LONDON) - The European Union on Tuesday pledged to give 44 million euros ($58 million) in aid to Somalia, at a conference in London aimed at stopping the impoverished country slipping back into lawlessness.

The EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs said the funding would be used to build up the justice system and police force in Somalia, which has been blighted by conflict for more than two decades.

"In Somalia, like anywhere else, there can be no development without security," Piebalgs said in a statement.

"We are granting this new assistance to show once again the EU's commitment to helping the Somali people to support good governance, security, justice and the police."

The EU has given more than 1.2 billion euros of aid to the war-torn Horn of Africa nation since 2008.

Half of the new funding will be used to train and equip Somalia's police officers, judiciary and other officials, the EU said.