The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced that it would not partake in a conference meant to raise funds to tackle a current catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the country.
The conference expected to take place in Geneva next month is aimed at raising $1.7bn.
But on Friday the Central African country said the UN’s comments and actions were excessive and also accused aid groups and NGOs in the country of portraying a “bad image of DRC throughout the world”.
The country’s Prime Minister Jose Makila said “The Democratic Republic of Congo declines to participate in the Geneva conference” on April 13.
“While recognising that the country is facing an emergency situation … the activation of the top-level humanitarian emergency acts as a brake” for development and discourages investors, Makila said.
The UN has said that at least 13.1 million Congolese are in need of humanitarian aid, while 7.7 million are starving.
The situation has also been compounded by the political crisis in the country following President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to exit in power.
The UN fear the worst for the country if the current humanitarian crisis isn’t resolved.
Elections are however expected to be held in December this year although there isn’t much clarity on how successful it could be.
Source: Africafeeds.com
