Democratic Republic of the Congo – Norway relations refer to the bilateral relations between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Norway. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is represented by a non-resident embassy in London. There are 1,930 DR Congolese people living in Norway.[1] The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs discourages people to travel to the northern and eastern parts of the Congo.[2]
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History
editThe Congo became independent from Belgium on June 30, 1960. Norway had begun humanitarian aid to the Congo since at least 1963.[3]
In 1963, Norway was one of only six nations that Congo approached with a request for military aid, asking for help to build a navy. Norway declined the request, citing a shortage of the training expertise Congo was looking for.[4][5]
Norway gave the Congo NOK 40 million (US $15.7[citation needed] million) in 2003. Vidar Helgesen, the Norwegian Secretary of State said: "In spite of some hopeful signs in the peace process and the establishment of a transitional government in the capital, Kinshasa, the humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the country is precarious."[6] In 2004, all previous debt was forgiven.[7] In 2007, the Secretaries General of the five largest Norwegian humanitarian organizations visited the Congo to access the crisis.[8] In 2008, an additional NOK 15 million were supplied.[9]
In 2009, Minister of Defence Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen visited the Congo to observe the conflict. She agreed to send troops to supply manpower to the United Nations peace-keeping forces during the Kivu conflict.[10]
DR Congo's debt to Norway, 143 million Norwegian kroner, has been erased as a result of a decision by Norway's Cabinet on October 21, 2011.[11]
Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland
editIn 2009, Norwegian nationals Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland were arrested and charged in the killing of their hired driver, attempted murder of a witness, espionage, armed robbery and the possession of illegal firearms. They were found guilty and sentenced to death, and also fined—along with Norway—$60 million.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Norway's Foreign Minister said: "I strongly react to the death sentence of the two Norwegians ... Norway is a principled opponent of the death penalty and I will contact the DRC's foreign minister to convey this." According to Bloomberg.com "Norway also object[ed] to the espionage conviction and the inclusion of the country in the fine, Stoere [sic] said. 'Norway isn't a part of this case.'"[12]
A letter dated March[13] 2012 was "delivered in Kinshasa from prime minister Stoltenberg to president Kabila".[14] It has not been answered as of August 2013.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Persons with immigrant background by immigration category, country background and sex". Statistics Norway. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Dit du ikke bør reise". Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian). 2009-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2010-05-18.(noting that Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against travel to the northern and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo)
- ^ "Norway Offers Aid to Congo". The New York Times. February 15, 1963. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ Lukas, J. Anthony (March 15, 1963). "Congo Asks Six Nations To Help Retrain Forces". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norse Refuse to Help Congo Build a Navy". Associated Press. November 27, 1963. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norway Gives US $15.7 Million in Humanitarian Aid". AllAfrica.com. October 24, 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norway forgives debt from Congo". Associated Press. May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Congo crisis". Norwegian Red Cross at Reuters. October 26, 2007. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norway Increases Emergency Relief to DR Congo by NOK 15 Million". Norway Mission to the United Nations. November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norwegian forces will be sent to Congo". Norway Post. January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "Norge sletter Kongos gjeld - VG". Vg.no. 2011-10-21. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
- ^ "Norway to Contact Congo, Nationals Get Death Sentence". Bloomberg. September 8, 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ^ "- Nå er det enda viktigere å få French hjem". Aftenposten. 2013-08-19. p. 7.
- ^ Linn K. Yttervik. "Stoltenberg venter på svar om Moland og French - Kongo - VG". Vg.no. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
- ^ "Eide: - Vi har aldri opplevd noe lignende - Kongo - VG". Vg.no. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2015-05-29.