14.01.2010

Building on potential –

Minister Niebel returns from his visit to Africa

Upon his return from a six-day visit to Africa, German Development Minister Dirk Niebel gave the following statement:

"During my visit to Rwanda, the D.R.C. and Mozambique, people's will to take their fate into their own hands and to shape the future of their countries emerged clearly in numerous talks with our partner governments and local people. For development policy to be successful, ownership and responsibility need to be given centre stage. German development cooperation makes effective contributions to that process. In the future it will be important to give an even greater role to civil society and private sector initiatives. One thing became very clear during my trip: good and responsible governance, the political will to pursue reforms and their systematic implementation are vital for development.

"Whenever our partner countries take on responsibility, as has happened in Rwanda, through close cooperation between parliament and government, budget support can indeed be a suitable instrument for development cooperation. In such a case, budget support can enable countries to promote their development and to become increasingly independent of their development partners.

"I have met dedicated people who, working in some instances under the most difficult conditions, are helping those who cannot help themselves. This was particularly the case in the refugee camp and the hospital for victims of sexual violence which I visited in Goma, Eastern Congo. The stories of these people affected and moved me deeply. I was greatly impressed by the dedication and commitment of the staff.

"In order to achieve broad-based growth, the poorer population, too, must have access to financial services. The microfinance bank which I opened in Mozambique creates access to micro-loans, in particular for the rural population, thus enabling people to provide for themselves. In Mozambique, my high-level political dialogue with President Armando Guebuza and Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi on the necessary economic and political reforms were also held in the context of budget support.

"The diversity of Africa is reflected in the different approaches of our development cooperation to these three countries. I hope that in future this diversity and potential of our neighbouring continent will be perceived to a greater extent in Germany."