A Fresh Start for Africa?

African leaders recently came together to draw up an ambitious new African initiative for the 21st Century, that focuses on working to end the continent’s many conflicts and building democratic, accountable government based on the rule of law. The initiative also recognises that democracy and stability are intimately linked to economic development, decent education and infrastructure.
In “A Fresh Start for Africa?” Tanzanian journalist Adam Lusekelo asks how realistic is this initiative and how can it best be implemented? What responsibility does the West have to give proper financial support to the plan to give Africa the fresh start it needs, as opposed to a patchwork of development initiatives that has so obviously failed? Although there’s no doubt that many African leaders bear responsibility for perpetuating and deepening the problems they inherited at independence, it’s also true to say that much of the West’s prosperity has been built on a shameful exploitation of Africa and the misery of its people. Do we now need a 21st Century “Marshall Plan” for Africa, recognising that the continued economic misery and exploitation of Africans will have serious implications for the security, political stability and prosperity of all developed nations unless we support the new African initiative with extensive reconstruction aid?

A Fresh start for Africa? will be broadcast on the BBC World Service from 20th February.

West Africa: Thu 2130 rpt 0250,1430, Mon 1030 gmt;
Europe; Thu 2030 rpt Fri 0230,1530,Mon 1030
East and South Africa; Thu 1830 rpt Fri 0230, Mon 0830,
Middle East; Thu 1830 rpt Fri 0230,1430, Mon 0930
South Asia Thu 1630 rpt Fri 100030, Sun 2330,Mon 0630
East Asia Thu 1130 rpt 2030,Fri 0730,Mon 0330
Americas Fri 0230 rpt 2130, Mon 1530