MCC Upholds Aid Suspension for Nicaragua, Armenia

The Millennium Challenge Corp. will continue to defer its assistance to Armenia and Nicaragua following an extraordinary interim review session of its partnerships with the two nations. According to a

, MCC will maintain its suspension of a USD175 million compact with Nicaragua, which took effect in December 2008 due to allegations of municipal election rigging in the Central American nation. Nonetheless, Nicaragua's rural business development project will continue to benefit from MCC funding. MCC will also shelve its financing for Armenia's road rehabilitation scheme amid issues concerning democratic governance, but will push through with its irrigation infrastructure development.