- The European Council has adopted a joint action on the EU mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Joint Action renews EUSEC RD Congo's mission statement and under the new Joint Action, the EUSEC RD Congo Mission is designed to assist the Congolese authorities in setting up a defence apparatus capable of guaranteeing the security of the Congolese people, while respecting democratic standards, human rights and the rule of law, as well as the principles of good governance and transparency.
In particular, the mission will also contribute, in close coordination with international partners, to creating conditions to facilitate the implementation of the guidelines adopted by the Congolese authorities in the revised plan for reform of the Armed forces of DR Congo (FARDC) approved by the DRC President at the end of May 2009.
The Joint Action will cover a period of one year, from 1 October 2009 until 30 September 2010, with about 10,9 million euros budgeted for thw whole mission.
The European Union has been conducting the EUSEC RD Congo mission since June 2005. The mission, currently composed of some 60 personnel headed by General Jean-Paul Michel, has been instrumental in the implementation of several key projects such as the "chain of payments" project and the biometric census of the troops in the DRC's armed forces.
The EU has consistently supported security sector reform in the DRC, as one of the elements of a more general EU commitment to supporting development and democracy in the African Great Lakes Region.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.