Africa who is to blame

The crisis, says the report, "highlighted a number of worrisome trends In the downturn, the need for good governance to mitigate the damage becomes essential and Africa leaders have been shown to be wanting.

But if development is a question of political will, then Africa needs political transformation fast. But this won't be easy. Of the 33 founder member countries of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, who Annan credits with "the vision Many of these countries have been governed by the same person for more than 20 years.

The report suggests that mutual accountability and monitoring are part of the solution, but implementing schemes to do just that hasn't been straight forward. Some 29 countries have joined the APRM, but the voluntary nature of the mechanism has raised questions about its effectiveness for bringing about any real, lasting change.

Even the report seems unable to forcefully convey the need for African leaders to change their priorities for the good of their citizens, evidenced in the wording it uses to chastise. While the report tells Africa's partners in no uncertain terms that their "bloated subsidy regimes and unfair trade rules" leave African countries "heavily disadvantaged," it goes on to assert, in something of an understatement, that "Africans beyond elite circles are not benefiting sufficiently".

It would seem that even the language of the report shows precisely who its authors feel prepared or perhaps able to reprimand. So while the interest rates rise, and prices of raw materials fall, more and more countries are caught in the debt trap.

Bokosi argues that the creditors should have taken such risks into account. They became attractive because there were no other lucrative markets available to investors. Read more: Tackling migration — An African perspective. However, public lenders have also made mistakes, say the activists. If the government doesn't respect these institutions, more credit won't help.

Her colleague Kapwepwe holds a similar view. The activists have a particular focus on Germany because of its "Compact with Africa" initiative that is trying to strengthening business ties with Africa. The Compact program specifically aims to strengthen private investment in Africa, as well as focus on infrastructure projects — roads, bridges and railway lines. Read more: Angela Merkel's African business summit marred by protest.

The activists, however, are skeptical about Germany's enthusiasm. The problem than is that if the project works, the profit goes to the private player, but if the project fails, all the risks and the costs come back to the public. Germany's new coalition government wants to make Africa a priority, and is promising more private investment and development aid.

For many, these are the same empty promises of the past. Got an opinion about the stories making headlines? International SMS charges apply. Please make sure to include your name and your country. We will sample your texts in our show. Visit the new DW website Take a look at the beta version of dw.

Allow this favorite library to be seen by others Keep this favorite library private. Save Cancel. Find a copy in the library Finding libraries that hold this item Former President of Ghana Jerry Rawlings and Kenyan law student June Arunga travel through Tanzania and Rwanda, witnessing the economic and social situations of the people they meet and considering what measures would improve life for the people of Africa generally.

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