Debt forgiveness or democracy?

Forgiving Africa's huge debt will certainly make it easier for the continent to fight the problems it faces. However, it will not be enough. More needs to be done to ensure good governance and promote policies which work. If all the money stolen by African politicians and now resting safely in western banks were to be returned to its true owners, the people from whom it was stolen, Africa will have more resources than needed to combat its worst afflictions.

Of course we are not trying to say that the EU should not try to reach the target of 0.56 per cent of national wealth for aid by 2010 or 0.7 per cent by 2015. What we are saying is that, even if these targets are met, there will still remain the problem of ensuring that aid goes to the people who need it most.

This means that we have to ensure that financial resources are not wasted or stolen and that development is promoted - aggressively and with little loss of time. Time is not on anyone's side: certainly not on the side of those who are perishing daily; and not on the side of those who have to eventually face the instability caused by poverty.

The situation in Zimbabwe commented on in this page shows the other side of the problem of Africa: the fact that it has been and continues to be misgoverned. So a big "yes" to debt relief and aid by all means - but such aid must be tied to specific undertakings on political, social and economic reforms.

Donors must use their power - and Africa's weaknesses - to ensure that real change comes to the continent and that ordinary poor citizens see a real change in their lives.

There are many worthwhile causes to which western financial aid could be channelled to: the fight against AIDS, improving the communications infrastructure, adequate water supply, education and encouraging business initiative.

Peacekeeping must be taken more seriously. The events in the Darfur Region of Sudan are testimony to the need of doing something when most needed. The world must also respond more rapidly to crises. The famine in Niger is yet another sorry example of how rich countries turned a deaf ear to the warning bells, despite the fact that they were sounded a few months before the famine actually struck.

There is much that can be done but unless strong political and legal institutions are established which are answerable to the people, it will be difficult to ensure good governance or responsible behaviour in Africa. It will be difficult to ensure that the aid sent is being used effectively and in the most efficient manner.

And lest we forget, there is also a dire need to stop all arms sales to Africa. Indeed it is essential also that arms which are gathered after the end of wars are not recycled in Africa.