African leaders and international officials pledged $455.5 million at a donor conference Tuesday for military operations against Islamist militants in Mali and humanitarian aid.Malian President Dioncounda Traore thanked the “entire international community” as nations offered cash or support at the top-level meeting at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital.However, while large donations were made -- including over $120 million from Japan and $96 million from the United States -- it was not immediately clear how much cash was earmarked for backing AFISMA, the key African-led military force.“I am glad to report that the overall amount that was pledged here reached the amount of $455.53 million,” African Union peace and security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said, after the conference in the AU headquarters in Ethiopia.In addition to the $455.5 million raised in cash -- which includes funding for AFISMA, the Malian army as well as humanitarian aid -- other aid was pledged in kind, Lamamra added.But diplomats said the amount raised was only supposed to enable AFISMA to remain operational until the United Nations Security Council approves logistical support to the force.
