Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
DRC minister says country 'can't afford' to hold election this year
Source: The Guardian
DRC minister says country 'can't afford' to hold election this year
Budget minister’s warning on poll funds comes after death of
key opposition figure and amid fears over fragile political deal
Jason Burke Africa correspondent
Thursday 16 February 2017 16.06 GMT
Repeatedly delayed elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face another obstacle after the budget minister said he doubted whether the country could find the funds to hold a poll this year.
Pierre Kangudia said government coffers were empty and it would be “difficult to gather” the necessary $1.8bn (£1.5bn).
His claim has further dimmed hopes that a fragile political deal could avert serious civil conflict in the central African country.
It comes 12 days after the death of Étienne Tshisekedi, a veteran politician whom analysts say was the only figure capable of unifying the DRC’s fragmented opposition to the continued rule of President Joseph Kabila.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Budget minister’s warning on poll funds comes after death of
key opposition figure and amid fears over fragile political deal
Jason Burke Africa correspondent
Thursday 16 February 2017 16.06 GMT
Repeatedly delayed elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face another obstacle after the budget minister said he doubted whether the country could find the funds to hold a poll this year.
Pierre Kangudia said government coffers were empty and it would be “difficult to gather” the necessary $1.8bn (£1.5bn).
His claim has further dimmed hopes that a fragile political deal could avert serious civil conflict in the central African country.
It comes 12 days after the death of Étienne Tshisekedi, a veteran politician whom analysts say was the only figure capable of unifying the DRC’s fragmented opposition to the continued rule of President Joseph Kabila.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/16/delayed-drc-elections-could-be-put-back-further-by-cash-shortage
