AfricaNews—Africa leaders call for recognition
African leaders speaking after the 12th African Union summit said Africa must be given the chance to play a part in steps to recover from the global financial crisis. “A real voice should be given to Africa in the reform of the international financial institutions aimed at better management of economic shocks and ensuring predictability of resource flows and the effectiveness of aid.” As a start, the leaders welcomed an invitation by the British Government to attend the G-20 meeting on financial crisis in London in April.

Reuters—Global crisis an opportunity for Africa
Foreign aid critic and former World Bank economist Dambisa Moyo says the global financial crisis is a chance to wean the continent from aid that has only entrenched poverty. Her arguments, set out in a new book, fly in the face of warnings from African leaders, global financial institutions and campaigners that the world’s poorest continent needs more donor money to survive the downturn. As alternatives, Moyo seeks an increase in trade, particularly with Asia, more foreign direct investment, more microfinancing and more efforts to raise money through capital markets.

Daily Monitor (Uganda)—Obama should prioritize fight against Aids
A columnist writes in the Uganda’s Daily Monitor that President Obama’s first priority in Africa should be the fight against HIV/AIDS and strengthening the PEPFAR program.

Reuters—U.S. must build new trade team for Doha success: Lamy
It is important for the United States under President Obama to set up a new trade team for the Doha round of trade talks to succeed, World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy said on Thursday. Lamy said he did not know how long it would take for the United States to “get its act together on trade policy,” adding it was crucial for the success of the Doha round that the United States was on board.

New Vision (Uganda)—It is no longer business as usual (editorial)
A view of the global financial crisis in Uganda shows the main worries are that the downturn will drastically reduce access to international markets, reduce development aid and cause a major setback the fight against disease.

-Steve Wilson