DRC minister says country 'can't afford' to hold election this year
Source: The Guardian
DRC minister says country 'can't afford' to hold election this year
Budget ministers warning on poll funds comes after death of
key opposition figure and amid fears over fragile political deal
Jason Burke Africa correspondent
Thursday 16 February 2017 16.06 GMT
Repeatedly delayed elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face another obstacle after the budget minister said he doubted whether the country could find the funds to hold a poll this year.
Pierre Kangudia said government coffers were empty and it would be difficult to gather the necessary $1.8bn (£1.5bn).
His claim has further dimmed hopes that a fragile political deal could avert serious civil conflict in the central African country.
It comes 12 days after the death of Étienne Tshisekedi, a veteran politician whom analysts say was the only figure capable of unifying the DRCs fragmented opposition to the continued rule of President Joseph Kabila.
[font size=1]
-snip-[/font]
Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/16/delayed-drc-elections-could-be-put-back-further-by-cash-shortage