Democratic Republic of the Congo – Norway relations

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. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs discourages people to travel to the northern and eastern parts of the country. 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.

Humanitarian aid
The Congo became independent from Belgium on June 30, 1960. Norway had began humanitarian aid to the Congo since at least 1963. Norway gave the Congo NOK 40 million (US $15.7 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." In 2004 all previous debt was forgiven. In 2007 the Secretary Generals of the 5 largest Norwegian humanitarian organizations visited the Condo to access the crisis. In 2008 an additional NOK 15 million were suppled.

Kivu conflict
In 2009 Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence 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.

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 Stoere, 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 said. 'Norway isn’t a part of this case.'"

Norwegians of Congolese descent

 * Mushaga Bakenga, Norwegian football striker, his parents are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He represented Norway 28 times at various Youth Levels football matches.

Norwegians in Congo

 * Hanne Nabintu Herland, she was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1966 to Norwegian parents.