|
|
Positive News was handed the guardianship of Global Village News and Resources in summer of 2004. Although we would like to continue to make the archives available to subscribers and readers we would like to point out that stories published prior to issue 89 were not under our editorial guidance and would like to make a distinction that these are not necessarily a reflection of the current opinions of our editorial team. Nations Pledge Over $1 Billion To Rebuild Burundi Burundi - While the United Nations and the western countries looked the other way, nearly one million people were killed in genocidial ethnic violence over a six month period ten years ago in Rwanda & Burundi, two small countries in central Africa. Instability and displacement continue to plague both countries and the regions immediately adjacent. At an international meeting in January, hosted by the government of Belgium and organized by the United Nations Development, donors from several countries pledged US$ 1.03 billion over three years to strengthen peace and security, promote reconciliation and spur development in Burundi. The forum focused on support for the second phase of the transition process, which will lead to a referendum on a constitution and local, national and presidential elections. Burundi requested aid to reduce its foreign debt, help displaced people return to their homes, improve government institutions, and reform the military and security forces. Of the funds pledged, the European Union promised $279 million, the World Bank $140 million, the United States $135 million, the United Kingdom $50 million, Germany $46.2 million and Belgium $44.6 million. It was the third such meeting since 2000, and participants included representatives of the Government of Burundi, 25 national aid agencies and 26 international agencies. President Domitien Ndayizeye of Burundi emphasized that this is a key moment for his country's future, with the prospect that peace, for which people have waited too long, will at last become reality. He noted that government priorities include setting up a new defence and security force, helping the displaced, reviving the economy, and promoting good governance. Participants expressed concern about the country's serious economic, financial and social decline, and voiced approval of government economic reforms that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are helping to implement, leading to a three-year programme the IMF is supporting through its Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. They called for focus on the electoral process, decentralization, strengthening local communities and promotion and protection of human rights. They also saluted the implementation of the national programme to collect arms from ex-combatants, demobilize them and help them return to their communities. The Government will chair a follow-up committee that will include experts and government and donor representatives to facilitate donor coordination and track implementation of steps agreed on. (Source: UNDP Communications Office). (In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.) |
