Brussels, 28/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU will mobilise €6 million to encourage civil society to play a more active role in the governance and democracy of the Republic of Guinea, the European Commission announced on Wednesday 28 August.
This funding, taken from the tenth European Development Funds (10th EDF), will be allocated as part of the support programme for civil society (PASOC) for a period of four years. It will enable increased participation from these players in local development and political decisions by funding their training and the sharing of the expertise required.
Civil society organisations played a crucial role in human rights protection after the social conflicts and violent crackdown of a peaceful demonstration by opponents of the military junta of Moussa Dadis Camara (2007-2009). Similarly, the role of civil society organisations was decisive in the transition process and the organisation of the presidential elections on 7 November 2010, which confirmed the progress made by Guinea (part of the ACP Group - Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) towards democratisation and the rule of law.
Because of the restrictive measures imposed on development cooperation between the EU and Guinea under the Cotonu agreement (Article 96) linking the EU to the 79 ACP states, European aid is currently limited to helping democratic transition and directly supporting the Guinean population.
A sum of €139.9 million, planned for financing five other cooperation projects in the area of governance and transport as part of the 10th EDF, can be mobilised for Guinea as soon as free and transparent parliamentary elections have taken place, the European Commission states. (AN/transl.fl)