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Saving Africa Won't Be Easy

Relieving debt and doubling aid will in itself do nothing to alleviate the suffering of the millions who, throughout the developing world, plead for the very basics of life. Good governance is essential before we can expect a government to use its financial resources for the benefits of its own poor, and good governance is practically impossible to find in the developing world, especially in Africa. The unpalatable fact is that corruption cost the developing world an excess of $150 billion last year. In real terms, this means that Western governments are feeding the pockets of corrupt officials, who are living the high life off donor aid. Our hard-earned taxes are paying for their BMWs, palaces and private jets. Make no mistake about it: murderers, rapists, genocidal maniacs and kleptocrats are among the group who will benefit financially from deliberations and decisions taken at the G8 gathering in Gleneagles, Scotland. Not a single poor or vulnerable person in Darfur, northern Uganda or Zimbabwe will have his or her life improved by the actions of the world's most powerful people. Again, a sobering thought. It is important that we not be naive about Africa. Not all the debt relief and goodwill on earth can meet the demands of 5.4 fertility rate. Only famine, disease and war can manage that.

J. O'Shea & T. Coatsworth Jr, The Guardian Weekly, July 8 - 14, 2005