Africa Commission
Tony Blair's Africa Commission will publish its long-awaited report on 11 March. But behind the spin, will there be anything worth celebrating?
The Africa Commission was launched in February 2004 by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. It has 17 members, nine of whom are African. The Commission will suggest how to tackle the huge problems faced by Africa.
What to look out for
Pressureworks will be looking for results in three main areas:
1. Trade
2. Aid and debt relief
3. HIV/AIDS
1. Trade
2. Aid and debt relief
3. HIV/AIDS
1. Trade
What we want
The report must reinforce the rights of African governments to protect their farmers and industries and to raise tariffs on imports.
Why?
Africa cannot trade its way out of poverty under current circumstances. The IMF, World Bank and rich countries have forced African governments to open up their markets.
The report must reinforce the rights of African governments to protect their farmers and industries and to raise tariffs on imports.
Why?
Africa cannot trade its way out of poverty under current circumstances. The IMF, World Bank and rich countries have forced African governments to open up their markets.
'Africa cannot trade its way out of poverty under current circumstances...'
At the same time, these same rich countries protect their own economies with subsidies. This is, quite clearly, hypocritical, unjust and inhuman.
2. Aid and debt relief
What we want
The report must call for the IMF, World Bank and other donors to remove conditions on aid and debt relief. It must also call for the poorest African countries to receive 100% debt cancellation.
The report must call for the IMF, World Bank and other donors to remove conditions on aid and debt relief. It must also call for the poorest African countries to receive 100% debt cancellation.
'...current conditions mean that African countries become even more dependent on aid'
Why?
The conditions imposed on aid and debt relief force African countries to open up their markets. This means that they make less money and become even more dependent on aid.
The conditions imposed on aid and debt relief force African countries to open up their markets. This means that they make less money and become even more dependent on aid.
3. HIV/AIDS
What we want
The report must call on the G8 to set definite targets for universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention.
The report must call on the G8 to set definite targets for universal access to HIV treatment, care, support and prevention.
'...if HIV/AIDS is not addressed, all other development work will be undermined'
Why?
The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa is devastating families and whole communities. If this is not addressed, all other development work will be undermined.
The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa is devastating families and whole communities. If this is not addressed, all other development work will be undermined.
What next?
The report will be published on 11 March. Pressureworks will be waiting to see whether the report lives up to the hype. Will Blair prove that his beloved Commisssion can be more than a talking shop?
'Come back to Pressureworks to read the reality behind the spin'
We'll be marking Blair on his report - the content, not the presentation - and we invite you to join us.
We're going to make it easy to send him a letter to let him know what you think, good or bad. Will he get straight 'A's or 'F' for Fail? You decide.
Look out for media coverage of the report on Friday. Then get back here so you can read the reality behind the spin. And then tell Tony Blair what you really think of his report.
We're going to make it easy to send him a letter to let him know what you think, good or bad. Will he get straight 'A's or 'F' for Fail? You decide.
Look out for media coverage of the report on Friday. Then get back here so you can read the reality behind the spin. And then tell Tony Blair what you really think of his report.
Can't wait?
And if you can't wait 'til then -
Do something now
Vote for trade justice online now
Get ready for the Global Week of Action
Do something now
Vote for trade justice online now
Get ready for the Global Week of Action
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