World Bank suspends $100 Million support to DR Congo

KINSHASA, DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo will not receive a US$100 million support from the World Bank because of shortcomings and alleged cases of fraud and corruption in the government systems the lender has said.

The World Bank said it has suspended a US$100 million payment to support the Democratic Republic of Congo’s education system amid an investigation into fraud and misuse of public funds in the sector.

The Washington D.C.- based lender was set to make the initial payment on its four-year US$800 million programs in December, to expand access to schooling throughout the country.

It decided to postpone the disbursement after an investigation by Congo’s Inspector General of Finances “revealed a number of shortcomings and alleged cases of fraud and corruption in connection with the use of public funds in the sector, as well as weaknesses in internal controls,” the World Bank said on early this week.

Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has made free primary education a cornerstone of his administration, but the government has struggled to fully fund the program.

The president’s reforms to the education system will continue even with the delay in funds and the country’s new government will need to maximize its revenues to help finance it, his spokesman Kasongo Mwema Yamba Yamba said in a text message Tuesday.

Tshisekedi is in the process of identifying a new majority in parliament, which will result in a cabinet overhaul. - Africa