Brussels, 25/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - Louis Michel, European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, will be visiting Africa from 26 to 29 August.
On 26 August, Louis Michel will be attending the investiture of the new President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza (see EUROPE 9012 on the statement by the British Presidency regarding his election). During meetings with the new President, Louis Michel will reaffirm the European Commission's support for reconciliation and reconstruction in Burundi, explains a press release, adding that to date, the European Commission has granted Burundi more than EUR 200 million to support the peace process and elections, and also for humanitarian aid and rehabilitation.
On 27 to 29 August, Commissioner Michel will be in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), travelling to Kinshasa and following voter registration in Katanga and Kasai. A press release explains that the Commission has already granted EUR 89 million for the electoral process, and will be providing a further EUR 60 million to plug the financial gap left by the elections. Voter registration has started well in the capital, but will require sustained effort in other provinces, where logistic organisations and security problems will have to be dealt with, adds the press release, explaining that Louis Michel is concerned and intends to raise these issues with the Congolese authorities, the independent electoral commission and representatives of the UN.