Debt forgiveness must go further say Christians
-15/06/05
One of the oldest campaigning groups for cancellation of global debt has praised the recent cancellation of the multilateral debt owed by fourteen African countries, but stressed that these nations represent only a small portion of the countries in urgent need of debt cancellation.
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service – says that the debt cancellation must go much further.
ìAfter twenty years of involvement with the global campaign to cancel debt, AFSC is delighted that Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and 11 other impoverished countries in Africa now have the ability to invest in their own development,î said Imani Countess, coordinator of the American Friends Service Committee Africa Program, which over the past two years, has sponsored a Life Over Debt campaign designed to increase awareness of Africaís debt and the need for cancellation.†
ìThe life and death urgency of these issues demand we remain committed to this cause,î stressed Mary Ellen McNish, AFSC general secretary. ìGlobal economic justice is the bedrock of a peaceful world. We can celebrate this victory while continuing to call attention to the plight of other struggling nations.î
The comments followed an announcement last weekend by the finance ministers of the worldís wealthiest nations (G-8), which was able to secure an agreement that will result in the 100% cancellation of multilateral debts for fourteen African countries and four Latin American countries.
The G8 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Excitement over the deal was felt throughout Africa. Mozambiqueís Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, remarked ìthis is an important decision that means we can have more money saved from debt servicing being directed to education, health, infrastructure and social sectors.î
But the agreement doesnít go far enough says AFSC. Countries deemed eligible are those that have graduated from the World Bank and International Monetary Fundís Heavily Indebted and Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, which requires
countries to restructure their economies in a way that results in harsh cuts in social spending.††
ìTo impose economic policy conditions for cancelling what is often odious and illegitimate in the first place, reinforces strategies that have failed to lift these countries out of poverty,î explains Jessica Walker Beaumont, AFSC
trade and debt specialist.†
Over the next six months the Service Committee will work to build support of the Jubilee Act (HR 1130), which seeks debt cancellation for 33 other countries that urgently need cancellation of their odious or illegitimate debts.†
ìOur aim remains unchanged as we prepare for the Group of 8 meeting and beyond; we will continue to advocate for debt cancellation, without harmful conditions, for the 33 indebted African countries not included in this agreement,î Countess explains.