The UK government announced on Tuesday that it would unblock about half of its £15million aid to Rwanda, following progress on solving a conflict in Congo.
Along with states such as the US, Sweden and the Netherlands, Britain had suspended support to Rwanda after a June report by the United Nations accused Rwandan officials of supporting armed rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A spokesperson for Congo’s government described the decision as “disastrous” with rights groups blaming Rwanda for fuelling bloodshed in the Congo.
The UK’s outgoing International Development minister Andrew Mitchell praised Rwanda’s ‘constructive’ efforts to resolve the crisis and said in a statement,
"Given this progress and recognising that the government of Rwanda has continued to demonstrate its strong commitment to reducing poverty and improving its financial management, Britain will partially restore its general budget support to Rwanda.”
Rwanda relies on foreign aid for half of its budget.
Read full Reuters story here.
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