British Minister for International Cooperation, Mrs. Shriti Vadera, travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 4, 2007 for a three-day official visit during which, she was expected to discuss the British Government project to assist the DRC Government in establishing a durable peace and reducing poverty. During this visit, the British Minister was also expected to meet with the Head of States, Joseph Kabila, and the Prime Minister, Antoine Gizenza, the Governor of Kinshasa, André Kimbuta and other members of the Government and of the Parliament.

In the same vein, the Minister was due to meet with members of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC), the international community and to have talks on the reform of the security sector and on the assistance to the Congolese Government for the implementation of projects aim at improving governance. After her stay in Kinshasa, Mrs. Vadera, was expected to travel on Saturday, 6 October to Lubumbashi to visit mining companies and a project relating to the reform of the justice.

Mrs. Vadera is responsible for the British Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty worldwide. For that purpose, her department benefits from a budget amounting to USD 2,5 million dedicated to support to Africa’s development.

Source: Afriquenligne.fr citing a communiqué from the British Embassy to the DRC.