Uganda’s President Museveni slams ‘Western double standards’ over Germany coal mine plans President Donald Trump has described criticism over his administration’s pledge to open up a U.S. coal mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as “shameful” after Germany said it was suspending preparations for the project. The German government said it would put pressure on other nations to stop the mine project. But President Museveni defended the company, saying it was “stealing” from his country.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s president called on Germany’s government on Friday to pull out of its plans to build a coal mine in the DRC, saying the move was “shameful” and “not a good idea.”
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni says Germany should be ashamed of itself for making such a move.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday said it was suspending preparations for the project. The ministry said it was not able to continue the project until a government-approved environmental impact assessment had been completed.
Germany has said it plans to invest $300 million in the project.
“The DRC is a sovereign territory. It is not for any other country to be making decisions about it,” Museveni said. “They can’t just come in and make a decision on it.”
He said Germany’s government wanted to go ahead with the mine, which could generate 20,000 jobs and would lead to an investment of $1.3 billion into the DRC.
Museveni’s comments reflect the anger with Germany after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a review of a planned U.S. coal mine in the DRC’s central Kasai region. Trump said he was ordering a review after he had criticized the project.
Germany wants the mine to go ahead, saying the mine is the economic lifeline of the
