The European Union froze an aid programme to Rwanda worth £140 million yesterday, over allegations that the Rwandan government was supporting M23 rebels. The UK meanwhile, will continue giving aid.
Jean-Michel Dumond, the EU’s Ambassador in Kinshasa, said:
“It was agreed to freeze the programme of budgetary assistance and to not agree to any supplementary budgetary credit for Rwanda without them giving signs of co-operating.”
The US, Sweden and Netherlands have already cut all aid to the country.
Human rights groups have accused the M23 rebels, a group operating in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, of rape, murder and recruitment of child soldiers.
The Rwandan government has denied the allegations.