What We’re Reading 1/15/09

Jan 15th, 2009 2:56 PM UTC
By Steve Wilson

Afrique en ligne—African ministers demand greater share in WB, IMF affairs
African finance ministers have scheduled discussions on enhancing Africa’s participation and voice in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. African finance and economic affairs experts have been meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, since Sunday to make a clear agenda of the specific demands that the finance and economy ministers would be making to the two institutions. Their report of these demands is due soon.

Scripps Howard News Service—Rice: President Bush’s plan for AIDS relief saved lives
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pens an op-ed this morning that lays out the successes of PEPFAR, arguing that America’s commitment to fight global HIV/AIDS must continue even in difficult economic times. She writes, “Despite these tough economic times, the American people have made a commitment that should continue. The progress of these past five years proves that our generosity has made a significant impact on people’s lives. Moreover, our commitments to the world’s poor not only represent our essential humanitarian spirit but also recognize the benefits of such investments in regional and global security.”

South Bend Tribune—U.S. mustn’t abandon humanitarian priorities
A leader of a global health NGO living in Kenya writes in the South Bend, Indiana Tribune that Americans must continue their humanitarian efforts and resist the push to drastically cut smart development efforts. He writes, “We are certainly going through tough times domestically, so I can understand how such a move may seem obvious in the abstract. But here in western Kenya, suffering does not occur in the abstract. I wish (those who argue for development cuts) were here to meet the families who owe their very survival to programs like PEPFAR.”

New Vision (Uganda)—Rice, the new tool to fight poverty
Government efforts to promote rice production in Uganda are gaining momentum, leading to investments in rice mills, expanded employment, increased competition for farmers’ output and improving prices. A Ugandan paper looks at how the close partnership between the government and rice producers is helping promote development in the east African country.

AllAfrica.com—Leaders Must Rethink ‘African Solutions for African Problems’
A South African researcher writes that in 2009 African leaders need to rethink how they deal with the continent’s most glaring political crises, including those in Somalia, in Zimbabwe, in Darfur and in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the surrounding Great Lakes region. The writers says, “the year ahead should be one of rethinking how Africa deals with problems in a manner that is effective and restores the continent’s image and initiative.”

-Steve Wilson

TAGS: Policy News, What We're Reading