President Joseph Kabila opened the first conference of provincial governors on Wednesday in Kisangani. The conference will last two days and deal with issues related to good governance, security, justice, and the economy.

Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito has sent the government’s 2009 budget proposal to the Parliament. The $4.97 billion spending plan was introduced on Friday, November 27, and represents a 61.8% increase compared to the 2008 budget.