EU Doubles Aid to Congo
December 4, 2006
The European Commission on Monday proposed to double development aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo for reconstruction of the central African country following recent elections.
"After more than 40 years of dictatorship and war, the Democratic Republic of Congo now has a president elected by direct universal suffrage, a modern constitution that has been ratified by an overwhelming majority, and a democratic parliament representing all of its citizens," according to the commission.
Elections conformed to international norms
President Joseph Kabila was confirmed winner of the November elections in DR Congo, which observers hailed as conforming to international norms.
The elections signified an end to a bloody period in the country's history. An estimated four million people died in a civil war that lasted from 1998 to 2003 and spread to at least five other countries.
In November, Germany began withdrawing its troops from DR Congo after four months of helping to secure the country's historic elections. The 780 German troops had been part of an EU peacekeeping force that arrived in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa, a stronghold of Kabila's former challenger Jean-Pierre Bemba.
"EU must invest heavily in reconstruction"
EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said he wants the bloc's member states to agree to double the aid budget for DR Congo from 2008 to 2013. EU aid to the central African country amounted to 201 million euros ($267 million) in the previous five year period.
"The EU must invest heavily in reconstruction so that the Congolese citizens can reap the benefits of democracy," said Michel.
An initial 33 million euros in EU cash was green-lighted on Monday, and will be used to strengthen governance and the institutions in DR Congo, the commission said.
The EU commission has been the principle donor for the electoral process in DR Congo since 2001, paying some 165 million euros of the 397 million euros in total cost.
EU extends aid elsewhere
Its largesse is also being extended to various neighboring countries in North Africa, the Middle East and the former Soviet republics. The commission is committing some 12 billion euros in development aid, partly in the form of investment funds.
"Our European good neighbor policy is running smoothly, but its potential has not been fully realized. It benefits the EU to have stability and peace on its borders," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the commissioner for external relations.