G8 Must Fulfill All Promises

Posted to the web 9 July 2008 As the G8 Summit draws to a close at Hokkaido in Japan, once again Africa expects to receive what has become known as more 'empty promises' from the rich nations. In fact Africa had pegged high hopes on the summit as it takes place at a time when the world is faced with four key challenges including fuel and food crisis and climate change. African leaders attending the summit led by AU chair, President Jakaya Kikwete, and activists gathered about 100 km away from Hokkaido, have accused the world's richest countries of reneging on pledges they made at their 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, to double aid by 2010 to $50 billion, half of which was to go to Africa. To date, a mere $3 has been delivered to the continent, citing alleged corruption as a stumbling block. The summit is yet to offer new... [read full story]