African Commission: when the spin stops
Tony Blair's trumpeted Africa Commission issued its final report on 11 March. Is it more hype than substance?
Download the report here. The positive recommendations in this historic document are a tribute to your incredible and passionate campaigning. But after all the hype, is it worth the wait? When the hype stops spinning, will anything really change? Read on to find out how you can make sure it does.
On February 17, 2004, the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, launched the Africa Commission.
Act now: write to Tony Blair to keep the pressure up!
The aim was to come up with a report, suggesting ways of dealing with the continent’s crippling poverty. And now, finally, its proposals have been published.
On February 17, 2004, the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, launched the Africa Commission.
Act now: write to Tony Blair to keep the pressure up!
The aim was to come up with a report, suggesting ways of dealing with the continent’s crippling poverty. And now, finally, its proposals have been published.
'Tony Blair and his government must take this opportunity to make sure policy matches the rhetoric.'
From the outset, Pressureworks (and its parent, Christian Aid) highlighted three areas for special consideration. Here, in a nutshell, is what we hoped for – and what we got.
Trade
What did we want?
We wanted the report to reinforce the rights of African governments to protect domestic farmers and industry by raising tariffs against cheap imports.
What did we get?
Africa, it says, should not be forced to open its economies to foreign multinationals – but there’s no specific mention of the right to raise import tariffs.
We wanted the report to reinforce the rights of African governments to protect domestic farmers and industry by raising tariffs against cheap imports.
What did we get?
Africa, it says, should not be forced to open its economies to foreign multinationals – but there’s no specific mention of the right to raise import tariffs.
'...the commission rubbishes the idea that aid and debt relief should only go to countries that allow multinationals to market to them unchecked'
Aid and debt
What did we want?
The removal of spurious IMF and World Bank conditions on aid and debt relief which enable multinationals to bully their way into new markets. And the suggestion that every penny of the poorest nations should debt be written off – with no strings attached.
What did we get?
Debts cancelled for all sub-Saharan African countries which need it to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Overall aid increased to $50 billion per year by 2015 – albeit without a firm timetable for aid targets.
The removal of spurious IMF and World Bank conditions on aid and debt relief which enable multinationals to bully their way into new markets. And the suggestion that every penny of the poorest nations should debt be written off – with no strings attached.
What did we get?
Debts cancelled for all sub-Saharan African countries which need it to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Overall aid increased to $50 billion per year by 2015 – albeit without a firm timetable for aid targets.
'Behind the spin, there are signs that our message has made it through'
HIV/AIDS
What did we want?
Increased aid and targets set by the G8 countries towards universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention.
What did we get?
A call for annual increase of $10 billion, plus universal access by 2010.
Increased aid and targets set by the G8 countries towards universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention.
What did we get?
A call for annual increase of $10 billion, plus universal access by 2010.
So how does it measure up?
Behind the spin, there are signs that our message has made it through.
Its recommendations on HIV/AIDS are welcome, as is the call for increased economic aid – no brainers, those.
Even more importantly, the commission rubbishes the World Bank and IMF's fat cat-centric idea that aid and debt relief should only go to countries that let multinationals market to them unchecked.
Its recommendations on HIV/AIDS are welcome, as is the call for increased economic aid – no brainers, those.
Even more importantly, the commission rubbishes the World Bank and IMF's fat cat-centric idea that aid and debt relief should only go to countries that let multinationals market to them unchecked.
Good work then?
Good work, as far as it goes. And the positive recommendations show that pressure really does work. Without your campaigning these positive statements would probably not have been there.
The problem is, these proposals don’t exactly tally with UK government policy. For instance, the commission says Africa should not be forced to liberalise its economies. Yet the EU, with UK support, is pushing former colonies to do just this.
Furthermore, the UK currently backs the IMF and World Bank in its bullying of poor countries on economic policy. Something’s got to give.
And there are holes. For example, will countries have the right to up tariffs on imports in order to protect their farmers and local industry? Without it, many small domestic businesses haven’t a prayer. Worryingly, the report doesn’t specify.
The problem is, these proposals don’t exactly tally with UK government policy. For instance, the commission says Africa should not be forced to liberalise its economies. Yet the EU, with UK support, is pushing former colonies to do just this.
Furthermore, the UK currently backs the IMF and World Bank in its bullying of poor countries on economic policy. Something’s got to give.
And there are holes. For example, will countries have the right to up tariffs on imports in order to protect their farmers and local industry? Without it, many small domestic businesses haven’t a prayer. Worryingly, the report doesn’t specify.
'The commission says Africa should not be forced to liberalise its economies'
Tony Blair and his government must take this opportunity to make sure policy matches the rhetoric. He must steer the EU and the other G8 countries on a course which allows Africa to find its way out of poverty.
And if Tony can't be trusted to do it off his own bat, we need to guide his hand. Take our action here and send the PM a letter, asking him to make sure the action matches the talk.
Otherwise this whole commission thing has been nothing but a grandiose exercise in spin.
And if Tony can't be trusted to do it off his own bat, we need to guide his hand. Take our action here and send the PM a letter, asking him to make sure the action matches the talk.
Otherwise this whole commission thing has been nothing but a grandiose exercise in spin.
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