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