Africa shapes message for G8

Exploiting the momentum of a star-studded global anti-poverty campaign, Africa's leaders prepared yesterday to step up pressure on rich nations to help them fight hunger, disease and war on the continent.

Leaders of many of the 53 member nations of the African Union (AU) arrived for a summit in Libya to agree a message to send to the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) richest nations in Scotland later this week.

Kenya's Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said the G8's decision last month to wipe out a sizeable chunk of debt to the world's poorest nations did not go far enough.

"They've got to get the message that the debt burden for the entire continent needs to be lifted. Solving the problem half-way does not remove the problem," he said ahead of the summit today and tomorrow in the Libyan town of Sirte.

Rock stars around the world sang for Africa on Saturday to try to pressure the G8 leaders into action. The G8 summit on Wednesday and Thursday will be chaired by British Prime Minister Tony Blair who has put Africa at the top of the agenda.

Anti-poverty campaigners say the G8 leaders have a unique chance to stop 30,000 children dying every day due to extreme poverty by doubling aid to poor countries, especially in Africa.

Pope Benedict, addressing crowds in St Peter's Square a day after Rome staged one of the Live 8 concerts, said he hoped the G8 summit would bring genuine and lasting relief to Africa.

Some commentators were unsure, however.

"Rock has carried Africa on to the world's front pages and television screens. Long live rock!" Italy's Corriere della Sera wrote. "But to imagine that rock and aid... are enough to make Africa progress by as much as one step forward is a dream."

African leaders are expected to call for unconditional cancellation of all debt to the poorest African countries and the dismantling of trade barriers which prevent them getting access to rich country markets, analysts say.

The likely emphasis on trade rather than aid is consistent with the stated goals of the AU, a three-year-old continental initiative that plans to wean Africa off aid and push it into the globalised mainstream of international trade and investment.

"The challenge is to reciprocate these (G8) moves with sound governance and fighting corruption, to show that we are true partners in development and are able to take on our responsibilities and discharge them effectively," Alcinda Abreu, Mozambique's Foreign Minister told reporters in Libya.

Zambian Foreign Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said his country already had a plan for how to spend the gains of debt relief - from increasing the provision of life-prolonging drugs for HIV/AIDS patients to employing several thousand new teachers.

"I think we should accept any assistance that will help us tackle the problems we face... Debt relief has been one major move forward for us and the gains will be there for all to see," he said.