The British prime minister, who also hopes to double aid to the continent, to $50-billion, by 2010 wants the Gleneagles summit, which runs from July 6 to 8, to be a pivotal moment in the fight to alleviate African poverty.

“The G8 has to understand that a developed Africa can serve its own interests, contributes to world peace; means a larger market for western industrialists and limits the HIV epidemic”, said Kouassi, pointing out that Western powers “do not always play fair” and accusing them of continuing outdated policies worthy of another century, notably in the field of cotton.

African nations accuse developed countries, and notably the United States, of contravening World Trade Organisation rules and continuing subventions to their own cotton producers, a policy that handicaps African producers.

“We’re tired of the image of Africa as a beggar. Development aid is the way for the West to give back to Africa what it took from us,” said Elisabeth Tankeu, AU Comissionner for Trade and Industry.

“African youth is desperate and has nothing to hope for. Our G8 partners should help us manage and develop our resources rather than pushing us towards despair”, she argued, citing the risk that despair could prove a breeding ground for anti-western extremism.”

http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=244456

“Poor countries should no longer have to privatise basic services or liberalise their economies as a condition for getting the debt relief they so desperately need.

Debt Relief Works!

In Benin, 54% of the money saved through debt relief has been spent on health including rural primary health care and HIV programmes.
In Tanzania, debt relief enabled the government to abolish primary school fees, leading to a 66% increase in attendance.
After Mozambique was granted debt relief, it was able to offer all children free immunisation.
In Uganda, debt relief led to 2.2 million people gaining access to clean water.”