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Democratic Republic of the Congo–Norway relations

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Democratic Republic of the Congo–Norway relations
Map indicating locations of Norway and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Norway
DR Congo

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]

History

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The 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

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Main article: Trial and conviction of Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland

In 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Persons with immigrant background by immigration category, country background and sex". Statistics Norway. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  2. ^ "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)
  3. ^ "Norway Offers Aid to Congo". The New York Times. February 15, 1963. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  4. ^ Lukas, J. Anthony (March 15, 1963). "Congo Asks Six Nations To Help Retrain Forces". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  5. ^ "Norse Refuse to Help Congo Build a Navy". Associated Press. November 27, 1963. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  6. ^ "Norway Gives US $15.7 Million in Humanitarian Aid". AllAfrica.com. October 24, 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  7. ^ "Norway forgives debt from Congo". Associated Press. May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  8. ^ "Congo crisis". Norwegian Red Cross at Reuters. October 26, 2007. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Norwegian forces will be sent to Congo". Norway Post. January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  11. ^ "Norge sletter Kongos gjeld - VG". Vg.no. 2011-10-21. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  12. ^ "Norway to Contact Congo, Nationals Get Death Sentence". Bloomberg. September 8, 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  13. ^ "- Nå er det enda viktigere å få French hjem". Aftenposten. 2013-08-19. p. 7.
  14. ^ Linn K. Yttervik. "Stoltenberg venter på svar om Moland og French - Kongo - VG". Vg.no. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  15. ^ "Eide: - Vi har aldri opplevd noe lignende - Kongo - VG". Vg.no. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
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