Netherlands made a further contribution to the transition to democracy in the DRC this Thursday September 7, with the allocation of 300,000 euros in funding to MONUC, in order to assist the Congolese Armed Forces -the FARDC- in carrying out joint operations with MONUC against the remaining armed elements in eastern DRC.

This funding will be used to bolster the FARDC’s logistical and supply capacity, in terms of procuring essentials such as water and rations for the troops, as well as fuel and equipment, and follows an earlier donation of 300,000 euros by the Netherlands for the same purpose last December.

With this extra funding, the FARDC will be in a better position to assist MONUC in carrying out joint operations against the remaining armed elements that continue to terrorise local people and plunder natural resources in eastern DRC.

At the official ceremony, André Dellevoet, the Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to the DRC, said that the principal reason for their engagement in the reform of the security sector is to support the process of re-establishing state authority in the DRC.

“In the context of the transition process, the reform of the security sector is a priority, in order to augment stability in the country. We have followed the DRC transition process through all its stages, and we believe this will be a base towards the future development of the country.”

William Swing, the Special Representative to the Secretary General in the DRC, thanked the Netherlands for their support and engagement in the area of the reform of the security sector in the DRC.

“Their contribution will assist us in continuing our joint operations with the FARDC against the foreign armed groups in the east of the country. The Netherlands are a major donor in the area of security sector reform, and they are by far the biggest contributor in the domain of DDR - Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration- of the remaining armed elements in the country.

“They have contributed over one hundred million dollars in this regard, and have really been one of the first donors in the DRC transition to democracy, and with their support they have brought more donors to the aid of the country.”