Donors pledge $455 million to military campaign in Mali against Islamist extremists

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – An African Union official says more than $450 million for the military campaign in Mali against Islamist extremists has been raised at a donors' conference here.

Ramtane Lamamra said Tuesday that nations gathered at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia pledged $455.5 million. AU officials say the African-led Support Mission in Mali, known as AFISMA, requires an initial budget of $461 million. Additional support required by Mali's army and the West African bloc known as ECOWAS raises the overall financial need to near $960 million.

African nations like Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Gambia and others lined up with developed countries like the United States, Japan, Germany and the U.K. in pledging funds to the military effort in Mali.