Response from the UK Government

Sir, Catherine Philp raises important, but controversial, issues in her article on the Rwandan genocide. But she fails to acknowledge the vital role that British support has played in helping Rwanda to recover from the horrors of the 1994 genocide and make dramatic progress in reducing poverty. In 2006 the UK indeed committed to provide £46 million of support per year to Rwanda until 2015. We have made it clear that this is guaranteed while Rwanda continues to commit to poverty reduction and sound financial management; good governance and respect for human rights; and fulfilling its international obligations on conflict prevention in the Great Lakes. The evidence of achievement is good. Poverty levels have declined from 70 per cent in 1994 to 57 per cent in 2006, and 19 out of 20 children of primary school age are now enrolled in school. The Government manages money well, with improved auditing, and parliamentary scrutiny of annual consolidated accounts. Increasingly, Rwanda is playing a positive role for peace and security in the region. Since 2008 the relationship between the Rwanda and Congolese governments has been transformed radically. Britain also has an important relationship with the Congo: our £80 million aid programme is targeted on providing clean water, supplying bed nets against malaria, and ensuring the very poorest people receive healthcare. We don’t take Rwanda’s good progress for granted. Like all our aid partnerships, Britain regularly reviews the situation in Rwanda. Our view is that Rwanda remains an excellent partner for British assistance, and that the lives of many poor Rwandese people are improving because of British taxpayers’ support. Mike Foster Minister for International Development

Opinions

Response from the UK Government