(January 17, 2005) Recent agreements by the Paris Club of donor nations surrounding sovereign debt relief for Iraq as well as tsunami-hit countries represent an opportunity for progress in debt relief on the African continent as well: finance minister.
It takes two
(January 14, 2005) Countries sending funds to Indonesia are right to be concerned about the exploitation of relief, but Indonesians are not the only ones who might be tempted.
World Bank president’s ‘mixed legacy’
(January 7, 2005) World Bank President James Wolfensohn’s recent announcement that he was unlikely to stay in his post as head of one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions, cast his decade-long legacy into the spotlight this week.
Dangerous life for Equatorial Guinea opposition
(December 24, 2004) Foreign critics say corruption has stopped the flow of petrodollars from trickling down to the whole population, but the government says it is investing the newfound wealth in social services and infrastructure.
Dealings in Africa examined
(December 18, 2004) Business ties between Obiang and seven U.S. oil companies are the subject of a probe by the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the companies and lawyers familiar with the investigation.
Free trade, not free aid, will help to end poverty
(December 14, 2004) UK Chancellor Gordon Brown’s apparently progressive lead in exhorting wealthy countries to recognize ‘their obligations to the poorest of the world’ does not address poverty’s homegrown roots, says analyst.
Nepad man implicated in bribe scandal
(December 13, 2004) A top adviser for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development has been implicated in a multimillion-rand bribery scandal.
UK to press for poor countries’ debt write-off: ‘Marshall Plan for Africa’
(December 10, 2004) UK Chancellor and Treasury chief Gordon Brown declared this week the creation of a ‘Marshall Plan for Africa’ is at the heart of his government’s agenda for its presidency of the Group of Eight rich nations in 2005.
Lahmeyer International in court again for bribing Highlands Water project official
(November 29, 2004) Found guilty by the Lesotho High Court of bribing the former chief of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority two years ago, international construction company, Lahmeyer International, has been back in court on another case of bribery.
On odious debts, the Paris Club, and reparations
(November 28, 2004) Following our first announcement released March 8, 2003 after the re-activation of our union, we demanded a development plan to help kick-start the Iraqi economy. At that time, our union confirmed that an essential prerequisite for such a plan to succeed was the cancellation of debt and reparation claims against the Iraqi people.
Resolution prepared for the Iraqi National Assembly
(November 22, 2004) The Iraqi National Assembly has agreed to support a recommendation by its Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) to repudiate the odious debts incurred by Saddam Hussein.
Italian firms in Lesotho dam corruption case
(November 14, 2004) Italy’s biggest construction company, Impregilo, was hauled before the Lesotho High Court this week as authorities launched their sixth corruption prosecution relating to the multibillion-dollar Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Enhancing accountability at the World Bank
(October 29, 2004) There is an old saying that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Sadly, this is all too true when we consider the track record of the multi-lateral development banks.
‘Environmentalists not to blame for power crisis’
(October 27, 2004) Foreign consultants like Acres International, convicted of bribery, should act as an eye opener that such firms are self-interested and not committed to developing the Third World, says environmental activist.
Debt relief difficult with TI report – DMO
(October 24, 2004) The recently released Transparency International report, which ranked Nigeria the world’s third most corrupt nation, will make it difficult for the country to secure debt relief from creditors, Nigeria’s Debt Management Office has said.
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