Africa reacts to the G20 Summit
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In the lead up to the G20 meetings, African leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the representation of Africans at the meeting of world leaders to discuss the global financial crisis. African leaders urged the G20 not to forget them in the face of the current crisis. South Africa was the only country invited to attend from the continent and was asked to convey an African perspective by the African Finance Ministers, who met in Tunis on November 12, to consider the impact of the crisis for the continent.
At the end of the G20 summit the new South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe, said in a press release that while African countries were making progress, they were now threatened by the global financial crisis which could exacerbate the recent volatility in food and commodity markets. The president also confirmed that a review of representation from African countries in the international financial institutions was proposed at the meetings and that the international community promised to fulfill its commitments to increase aid flows to Africa.
Though they were not present, several other African leaders also offered commentary on the G20 Summit:
President Blaise Campaore, Burkina Faso:
Africa and other developing regions of the world must be more closely associated with the discussions underway on the reform of the international financial architecture,” …”If the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are to play a bigger role in the governance of international finance, it is fair that developing countries be more involved in the way reform is carried out.
President Amadou Toumani Toure, Mali:
The current crisis confirms the need to build a new financial architecture, involving not only emerging countries, but also Africa.
President Marc Ravolamanana, Madagascar:
To be “credible” and treated as “responsible partners”, we have to take our future into our own hands and show the world that we, African leaders, are serious, engaged and determined.” “African states could start to rebuild international confidence by improving governance standards” …. the West must also “honour its promises” in terms of development aid.
Former Senegalese leader Abdou Diouf:
While everyone is mobilized for a few weeks to try to resolve the financial crisis, rampant poverty continues, and the food situation in Africa and Asia continues to worsen.
-Edith Jibunoh
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The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with frequent contributions from volunteers, members and partner organizations.
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November 20, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Thanks Edith for this update. Much continued success in your endeavors.
My only hope is that we, in the rich nations, will support the efforts in Africa to end AIDS & extreme poverty by better organizing and mobilizing ourselves on Africa’s behalf in our own countries.
AS ONE, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
November 21, 2008 at 2:56 am
This may not be the right forum for this comment however hopefully it gets to the right eyes and ears. I have tried for many years to get someone to listen even Bill Gates and was rejected. What people in Africa need initially is what all humans need to survive which is water. Until there are water plants (many) built in Africa to pump and provide water throughout society there the people will continue to starve. Good water prevents diseases and sickness and they can grow their own food. Once there is water to satisfy their basic needs, we need to provide farm equipment and teach them how to feed themselves and become self sufficient. They need water and food first and then the rest will follow. To many die every day because of a lack of these basic needs. When their thirsts is quinched and the hunger is gone they will be happier people much more willing to focus on the normal things in life that every other human being does. Please I pray that someone reads this that can make it happen. This will change Africa forever and eventually bring the continent out of poverty.
November 21, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Keith, I was hoping that one of our national staff members would answer your post but since no one has let me just assure you that ONE members are fully committed to the eradication of unclean & unsanitary water in Africa ( and elsewhere around the world) ASAP !
If you look at our Partner organizations, a lot of them have projects & programs to address this issue in Africa and the ONE Blog periodically runs articles about this issue (especially for World Water Week).
So please know that this is an issue that ONE is very concerned about and an issue that ONE partner organizations regularly deal with.
Thanks for your concern about the world’s poorest people, Keith. Please continue to participate in the ONE Blog.
All the Best, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
November 22, 2008 at 2:02 am
Debbie K- Thank you so much. I had no idea. I don’t see anything about it on television so I was just making my point. I appreciate you response and feel somewhat relived about it. I am concerned about all nations but since the media shows Africa when the show starvation I chose that as a start. We have to start somewhere and Africa is as good as any place. If people of the world are not thirsty and hungry then crime would drop by numbers never seen before in history. Again thanks this is a good thing and I will continue to monitor and read more about One.
Best wishes!
November 22, 2008 at 6:31 am
Glad that I could help you, Keith, and very glad that you will continue to learn more about ONE – and hopefully join us.
It’s truly a GREAT organization.~
ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
November 23, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hi
I am so glad to see that there still are so many people that care about all the people of the world not just themselfs like the Bush years has shown around the world. I am so affaid that if the people of the world don’t get help now and in the next 4 to 8 years that after that it will be to late for all of us. So if it’s going to happen, that we turn the world around now to a better life for all, then we as ONE will never have enough time to do so after he’s gone. So lets do it for all of us as ONEpeople.
January 19, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I appreciate Bono speaking out on behalf of the worlds poor and sick. Don’t forget that the number one question asked Obama was “Will you legalize marijuana?”. Think about the benefits that medical cannabis can have on the millions of suffering Africans. I am very disturbed when I hear that UN Police are using international aid money to persecute cannabis growers in Africa and destroy such an important beneficial crop. Bono has enormous influence on UN leaders, and some of the world’s most powerful people. Please don’t think for a moment that by removing cannabis the UN is in any way helping the poor people of Africa or any other continent. This is a grave injustice, and I’m sure the sick and dying Africans effected by such laws would agree. The cannabis plant can help to provide food, clothing, shelter, safe medicine, and eco-friendly fuel. If the One Campaign really wants to help the poor, we should let them grow hemp, and if we must get involved, help them succeed in taking advantage of the many benefits of the hemp industry.
I hope Bono keeps up the good work, and helps to stop the bad work.
Thanx. www.nycamp.org