Canada requests delay in Congo debt relief

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 29 - The World Bank on Tuesday postponed a decision on writing off the debt of the Democratic Republic of Congo at Canada's request, a board official told Reuters.

A World Bank spokeswoman confirmed the delay, which comes on the eve of Congo's 50th independence jubilee.

Congolese President Joseph Kabila had wanted the debt canceled before the June 30 celebration to show the world his country was putting its painful past behind it following a brutal 1998-2003 war in which some five million people died.

"A short postponement of the board discussion was requested by one of the executive directors," the spokeswoman said.

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