Aid to Burundi must be reinstated - that is the view of the House of Commons select committee on international development.
CMS members and supporters have joined the Anglican Church of Burundi and the Anglican Alliance in welcoming the committee's new report.
MPs recommended the Government should reinstate its bilateral aid to the African state of Burundi - one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world.
The Archbishop of Burundi, the Most Rev Bernard Ntahotouri, the Anglican Alliance and CMS Mid-Africa Forum chair the Rev William Challis, who is also chair of Friends of Burundi, all gave evidence to the select committee and lobbied MPs to try and reverse the aid cut announced by the coalition government.
Earlier this year, the Department for International Development (DFID) announced that by 2016 the UK will close its bilateral aid programmes in 16 countries – including Burundi.
But after taking into consideration a range of views in the form of written and oral evidence, the International Development Select Committee warns that ending the DFID programme at such a critical time - when Burundi is making the transition from conflict to stability - is a strategic mistake.
In July, the Anglican Archbishop of Burundi had gone to London to give evidence to the select committee – and had made a passionate appeal to the UK government to restore its bilateral funding to Burundi.
Welcoming the new
report, he said: "A continuation of DFID's work in Burundi will hopefully attract private entrepreneurs and investors who will initiate new opportunities that will contribute to the political stability and prosperity of both the country and the Great Lakes' Region.
“Since our priority in the areas of development is the reduction of poverty we would like to invite DFID to explore with us; civil society in general and the Anglican Church of Burundi in particular; the possibility of making the extensive non-government provision of basic services work more effectively for those we all endeavour to serve - especially in the areas of health, education, food security, environment protection, water and sanitation."
Together with the Anglican Alliance - which brings together development relief and advocacy work across the Anglican Communion, and of which CMS is a member - the Archbishop had also made a joint written submission to the inquiry. The Rev William Challis had also provided written evidence to the select committee.
Welcoming the MPs’ findings, the Rev Challis said: “This looks like a really positive move, and is a tribute to the time and effort made by Archbishop Bernard and the Anglican Alliance to prepare submissions and give evidence to the committee. We believe that our nation should continue to be concerned for the poorest in our world and help to build stability in Burundi.”
Sally Botteley, a member of the CMS Mid-Africa forum, was one of those who took up the call to write to their MP. Sally's just happens to be Andrew Mitchell, secretary of state for international development.
"This is very encouraging news indeed and an answer to prayer," she said. I hope the government will now consider reinstating and even enhancing the aid programme to support the people of Burundi in securing lasting peace and developing the economy to aid millions to move out of acute poverty.”
The Chair of the committee, Malcolm Bruce MP, said: "DFID's decision to end bilateral aid to Burundi is incompatible with the Government’s wider objectives to focus on the poorest countries and to help fragile and conflict-affected states develop into stable and prosperous democracies.
“Ending our bilateral aid programme to the poorest country in the Great Lakes region sends the wrong political signal and makes it look like the UK is turning its back on the people of Burundi.
"More worryingly, it could jeopardise our progress in a region that is struggling to develop after decades of conflict. The Secretary of State should reinstate bilateral aid to Burundi."
Anglican Alliance director Sally Keeble said: “The Anglican Church in Burundi acted as a powerful advocate for the people, and the Select Committee has taken on board the Church’s proposals.
“This report makes the clear case to reinstate the programme in the interests of the people of Burundi and their security. I hope that the Government will listen to the compassionate voice of the Select Committee, and reinstate the programme.”
The Committee recommended:
-
The UK Department for International Development should reconsider its decision to end its bilateral aid programme in Burundi.
-
There should be more investment in development progress in Burundi especially agriculture, to increase trade.
-
The regional dimension to the conflicts in the Great Lakes should be fully recognised - including the fragile security in Burundi and more investment was needed to improve the situation in the country.
-
If the UK Government ended the bilateral programme it should ensure there was a clear exit strategy.
-
The UK Government should continue to be an active advocate for Burundi in international forums.