The minister of communication and media of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Lambert Mende Omalanga, has denied the widely reported diplomatic problem with Belgium following comments by its former foreign minister.
Mende, who is also the spokesman for the Congolese government, made the denial at a press conference held here on Sunday, ahead of the arrival of Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere on his Central African tour.
"Minister Vanackere represents the Belgian government which is in perfect harmony with the DR Congo government," he stated.
"We have no problem at all with Belgium and there are so many projects we are going to do with Belgium, especially during this year's
celebration of 50 years since the independence of DR Congo, the ex-Belgian colony," the minister added.
Vanackere will meet with Congolese leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday before flying to Goma, the main town of North Kivu province.
His trip will also take him to Gisenyi on Thursday, and then Kigali and Bujumbura. He is not expected to meet with Congolese President
Joseph Kabila.
DR Congo had declared European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel de Gucht, a Belgian, "persona non grata" after he told the European Parliament on Dec. 16 that the Congolese leaders were "inappropriate" partners and that the aid given to the country by the international community was a "waste."
In April 2008, Gucht visited DR Congo in the capacity of Belgian foreign minister. He publicly denounced the country for corruption and lack of transparency in the exploitation of mineral resources.
The government reacted by recalling its ambassador and closing down the two Belgian consulates in DR Congo. The disagreement lasted for nine months. On Jan. 6, on the airwaves of a Belgian radio, Gucht was trying to justify his remarks. "I spoke several times in a diplomatic manner that things were not going on well in DR Congo and that the population was paying a heavy price for this. I think I can now say that in a much correct and clear manner."