Congo's democratic elections threatened by lack of aid

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is gearing up for the 2011 election, but a lack of foreign aid – prompted by dissatisfaction with its human rights record and increasing violence – could prevent implementation of democratic safeguards.

|
Dominic Favre/AP
Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, speaks during the closing news conference at the Francophonie Summit in Montreux, Switzerland, which took place Oct. 22- 24 in Montreux. Some 70 heads of state and 3,000 delegates attended the summit that focussed on issues of global governance and democracy, sustainable development and cultural diversity.

Just a few months ago, President Kabila's outlook wasn't too bad. He had achieved debt cancellation, freeing up a substantial amount of money in his budget, he had made (tentative) peace with his longstanding external rival Rwanda, while his longstanding internal rival Jean-Pierre Bemba will be standing trial in The Hague in November. If the case of Thomas Lubanga is anything judge by, Bemba could be in the docket for quite some time – Lubanga has been standing trial since January 2009 – apparently disqualifying him from participating in the Congolese elections of November 2011.

The economy is set to grow by over 6 percent next year and the IMF continues to make rosy statements about the country's economic outlook.

Now, the mood has changed. Violence continues in the east, and there have been three briefings to the UN Security Council already in the past few months about sexual violence in particular. The cancellation of First Quantum and Tullow's mineral and oil concessions has affected investor confidence. And the death of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya – followed several months later by a similar death in prison of a Belgian-Congolese protester – has raised serious questions about the government's dedication to good governance and human rights.

His foreign donors, who so amiably had canceled $12 billion in debt in July, are now balking at the cancellations of $2.9 billion of bilateral debt through the Paris Club. The World Bank is reportedly extremely frustrated with the government's cancellation of First Quantum's mining concessions in Katanga, which had been supported by the World Bank's private investment branch, the IFC. The World Bank has allegedly suspended its project to reform the artisanal mining sector, called Promines. (The Bank's official response is that they are still going through the required bureaucratic steps.)

To make matters worse, Vital Kamerhe, the president's long-term ally turned rival, has apparently finally decided to run and has begun discussions with the UDPS and MLC opposition parties, seeking their support. If he does get their support – even if just for a second round of the presidential election – that alliance between strong western, central and eastern candidates could be a serious threat to the regime.

It is within this chilly climate that the Congolese government is asking donors to supply around $346 million from donors and MONUSCO to fund the 2011 elections. They have also asked for increases in general donor budgets.

The answer has not been enthusiastic so far. MONUSCO's budget is on the wane. The US government, according to one source there, has until now only set aside $4 million in his aid budget for the elections.

This is not good. if we do not fund elections, we will not be able to help Congolese civil society set up the necessary safeguards – election observers, oversight structures, audits – and we won't have the diplomatic clout needed to be heard in Kinshasa. The international community loves to wring its hands about not having any influence over the government in Kinshasa, only to disburse almost $3 billion in funding to the country. While I understand that it is difficult to tie this funding, most of which goes to humanitarian and infrastructure projects and is not fungible, to concrete conditions, I think we can do better.

Jason Stearns blogs at Congo Siasa.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of Africa bloggers. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here.
QR Code to Congo's democratic elections threatened by lack of aid
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2010/1028/Congo-s-democratic-elections-threatened-by-lack-of-aid
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe