Follow the money

Western states, paying $300 million for elections, want to see the government's books

As the elections loom, the government's grip on economic policy loosens and questions about accountability multiply. Some of the European Union countries bankrolling next year's elections want much tighter control over the transitional government's spending and over its contracts with foreign mining and marketing companies. Some Western officials want Kinshasa to sign up to a restrictive financial regime like Liberia's Government and Economic Management Assistance Programme (GEMAP, AC Vol 46 No 19), under which foreign officials would monitor (if not actually approve) payments for all major commissions and procurements. President Joseph Kabila's government resents such ideas and there will be tough battles ahead.

Article Tags:
Liberia, Rwanda, Paul Kagame, Alexis Gisaro, Mwilambwe Kitanda Wet, Déo Rugwiza, Libyan, Zimbabwean, Qatari, Dan Gertler, Gertler's growing empire, Jean-Pierre Tshimanga, Belgium, Lando, Victor Kasongo Shomari, Lebanese, Congo-Brazzaville, Uganda, United States, Office des Douanes et Accises, Société Minière de Bakwanga, Sengamines, Sengamines, Sengamines, Centre d'Evaluation, d'Expertise et de Certification, Mouvement pour la Libération du Congo, Millenium, Millenium, Or du Kilo-Moto

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