| | This issue of ROAPE explores three major issues confronting Africa's development: trade; petro-violence; and US militarization of the continent. In the UK Africa's position in the world economy has for some received a boost by PM Blair's Commission for Africa. This it seems is more than just an opportunity to put Africa back on the development agenda of western states as Blair hopes to report his commissions findings as the UK lead chair the G8 and have Presidency of the EU next year. It is a chance to right the wrongs of trade and aid and much else besides. The Commission for Africa has been described by Blair it as an opportunity to 'be a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Africa and policies towards Africa'. This at a time when Bob Geldof has observed that 'Africa is (deleted)' - a result of hypocritical western trade policies and colonial transformation. Geldof has suggested that he helped bring Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown around to the idea of doing something concrete about Africa - it is one thing to note that Africa is a scar on the world's conscience, quiet another to do something about it. |
