Saturday 2 March 2013

UK aid for scandal-hit Rwandan government is axed because of fears it was supporting Congolese militias | Mail Online

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UK aid for scandal-hit Rwandan government is axed because of fears it was supporting Congolese militias

By DANIEL MARTIN

PUBLISHED: 11:49 EST, 1 March 2013 | UPDATED: 11:51 EST, 1 March 2013

International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced an end to giving British funding to direct to the Rwandan government

Aid to Rwanda will be funnelled through charities rather than the scandal-hit government, Justine Greening revealed oday.

The International Development Secretary said the UK will give £16million to Rwanda after earlier halting it because of the central African state's support for brutal rebels in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

But the money will not be paid directly to the Rwandan treasury as initially planned but instead to aid agencies working in the country.

The announcement comes six months after Miss Greening's predecessor in the job, Andrew Mitchell, controversially reinstated payments to the Rwandan government – despite growing human rights concerns.

On his last day in the job, he authorised £8million as direct support to the government, and diverted the other half to specific development programmes.

He acted despite the publication of an interim UN report last July which highlighted Rwanda's role in backing insurgents in DRC – formerly known as Zaire.

But Miss Greening, who took over from Mr Mitchell, decided in November to withhold the money amid renewed concerns about President Paul Kagame's actions.

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Violence in DRC – formerly known as Zaire – has been spiralling, with reports of summary executions being carried out by the rebel M23 group and growing numbers of refugees.

The money is being withheld amid renewed concerns about amid renewed concerns about the actions of Rwandan President Paul Kagame's actions

In a written ministerial statement, Ms Greening said £16million would now be paid in to Rwanda but not through its government.

Some of the cash will also be paid in to a ring-fenced fund which will be divided amongst the country's poorest workers.

She said: 'This reprogrammed development spend will be channelled through projects that directly reach and protect the poorest people in Rwanda.

'In line with my earlier decision regarding the breach in the partnership principles, it is not appropriate to release any of these funds as general budget support.

'The funds being released will be used to provide cash transfers and cash for work opportunities for around 545,000 of the poorest individuals and to support non-governmental organisations in Rwanda to provide essential services.

'We will also pay directly for 1.8 million textbooks for primary and secondary students. A further £2million will support up to 20,000 refugees in refugee camps on the Rwanda side of the border with DRC.

'The UK Government remains fully committed to supporting long-term solutions which bring stability and resolve the causes of conflict in eastern DRC, and will continue to work with our international and regional partners to achieve this goal.'

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They are brilliant at giving away our money. The madness of borrowing money to give it away can't be lost on people can it?

- nanuk of the north , Morpeth England, United Kingdom, 02/3/2013 14:17

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Sure, let's help these poor kids ! Help the girls to grow and raise starving children, and the boys to be strong enough to carry a Kalashnikov.

- Frank , North Shields, United Kingdom,02/3/2013 13:41

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And as India supports the conflict in Kashmir, on this basis their aid should be eliminated also.

- Jayar , Elsewhere, 02/3/2013 12:46

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.....and you trust the charities with our money???? They are all businesses with highly paid managers!!! - parky , Poole, 02/3/2013 07:02........There are Grass Roots charities working out of the UK in Rwanda who most certainly do not have highly paid managers and who's workers raise their own funding to be out there. RSVP and FreeSpirit Rwanda Child are but 2 examples. The difference these small groups can make on the ground is immeasurable for the children in Rwanda providing education, shoes, meals and medical care via sponsorship.

- Bumblebee , Harrogate, United Kingdom,02/3/2013 12:03

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All aid should be stopped until we have our own house in order. It¿s not rocket science to understand that you don¿t give money away when you don¿t have any

- jtb , home, United Kingdom, 02/3/201311:26

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thats another private jet then nice

- pete , blackpool, 02/3/2013 11:04

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we have no money

- si , london, 02/3/2013 10:23

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Stop all aid and abolish Greening¿s department. Channel the savings to nursing our old folk All would become free to them then with lots to spare. Charity starts at home.

- Ron , Sudbury, United Kingdom, 02/3/201309:31

Click to rate Rating 43

I like her. She always does what she promises. When she was our MP here in SW London she did everything that she said. And she is doing her job well.

- Sandy Brown , London, 02/3/2013 09:02

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I like her. She always does what she promises. When she was our MP here in SW London she did everything that she said. And she is doing her job well.

- Sandy Brown , London, 02/3/2013 09:01

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Saturday 2 March 2013