THE decision of some donors to suspend aid to Rwanda raises a fundamental question on the rationale for rich countries to give aid to poor countries. Is the major reason for aid to reduce poverty and help raise the welfare of the poor in developing countries or is to increase the ability of rich countries to exercise political leverage over them?
It is a lesson to every country, especially in the Great Lake regions, that
you can't carry on messing about the Congo, using donors money to
destabilise another country. Aid has not been suspended because Rwanda has
not used it wisely. It has been suspended because there is evidence that
Rwanda has created, trained, sponsored and supported rebel groups in the
DRC. ADFL, RCD, CNDP and M23 are all Rwanda's creation. They have served
the Rwandan elite purpose and the Congolese people have paid a heavy price.
Why mourn about a suspension of aid from the West? Learn to depend on
yourselves and the West will respect you. Millions of dollars from coltan,
diamond, gold and taxes from the DRC should have helped Rwanda be
self-sufficient. I hope Rwanda will think twice before meddling in Congo
affairs. The truth is this: No peace in the Congo, no African development.
Rwanda: Implication of Donor Suspension of Aid to Rwanda Over DRC Crisis
The New Times (Kigali), 3 December 2012
THE decision of some donors to suspend aid to Rwanda raises a fundamental question on the rationale for rich countries to give aid to poor countries. Is the major reason for aid to reduce poverty and help raise the welfare of the poor in developing countries or is to increase the ability of rich countries to exercise political leverage over them?
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It is a lesson to every country, especially in the Great Lake regions, that you can't carry on messing about the Congo, using donors money to destabilise another country. Aid has not been suspended because Rwanda has not used it wisely. It has been suspended because there is evidence that Rwanda has created, trained, sponsored and supported rebel groups in the DRC. ADFL, RCD, CNDP and M23 are all Rwanda's creation. They have served the Rwandan elite purpose and the Congolese people have paid a heavy price. Why mourn about a suspension of aid from the West? Learn to depend on yourselves and the West will respect you. Millions of dollars from coltan, diamond, gold and taxes from the DRC should have helped Rwanda be self-sufficient. I hope Rwanda will think twice before meddling in Congo affairs. The truth is this: No peace in the Congo, no African development.