LIBYA: African Union (AU) heads of state yesterday urged the G8 to act rapidly to end poverty on the continent, saying they should implement all the proposals of a British-backed report on aid, trade and debt.
"The Assembly (of AU leaders) fully supports the recommendations contained in the Commission for Africa report," read a resolution issued to reporters at the pan-continental organisation's half-yearly gathering of leaders.
The report, commissioned by British prime minister Tony Blair for consideration by G8 leaders meeting in Scotland calls for freer trade, a big rise in aid and debt cancellation.
"The Assembly [ of AU leaders] . . . strongly urges the G8 Summit meeting . . . to fully embrace the comprehensive recommendations of the Commission for Africa . . . [ and] commends the prime minister of the UK, Tony Blair, and his government for pushing robust global action in support of Africa's efforts towards growth, poverty reduction and prosperity."
Among the report's findings is a strong statement on corruption: "Weak governance has blighted the development of many parts of Africa to date . . . Corruption is a systemic challenge facing African leaders."
And it recommends a strengthening of regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and its Nepad development programme, the pan-African parliament, and the African Development Bank, more transparent business practices, and the repatriation from the West of money stolen in Africa.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had told the leaders on Monday that the solution to Africa's woes was the creation of one pan-continental country, not Western aid delivered subjected to conditions.
The other major piece of business was the endorsing of a plan to demand two permanent seats on a reformed UN Security Council, although the leaders dodged the question of how their representatives would be selected. Diplomats said the gathering did not want to cause acrimony among top contenders Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt. - (Reuters)