Geldof challenges G8 nations to stick to promises on Africa

Published on Sunday 11 March 2007 00:59

LIVE Aid campaigner Bob Geldof yesterday issued an impassioned appeal to the world's wealthiest nations to honour their commitments to the poor of Africa.

The former rock star hit out at European leaders for losing interest in the continent since signing an agreement on aid and trade at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles two years ago.

"When they put their name, they sign the pride, the honour and the dignity of their respective countries. You do not break that," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"You particularly don't break it because the promise of the rich to the poor, [when] broken, kills the poor."

As the European Union prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary, he accused it of ignoring the continued plight of Africa.

"On our 50th birthday anniversary we are silent about our closest neighbour, and where potentially two million people will be killed in one region alone, Darfur," he said.

"What have Europe got to say on our 50th birthday about this? Nothing, absolutely nothing."

On the eve of the second anniversary of Tony Blair's Commission for Africa report - which formed the basis of the Gleneagles agreement - he warned that the failure to commit promised aid had left an opening which China was now seeking to exploit.

"Into the vacuum of our lack of fulfilment have stepped the Chinese, who do not care about the values of democracy, transparency and accountability, and said: 'We'll give you the money so long as we have influence over your resources and your politics'," he said.

Geldof, however, praised the international lead given by Blair on the issue to the point where he was prepared to irritate other world leaders.

He recounted how, at one meeting between US President George Bush and the then German Chancellor Gerhard Schrder, the only subject they could agree on was "moaning about Blair and Africa".

"[Schroeder] said to Bush: 'Jesus, Blair is being a real pain in the arse about this Africa stuff, isn't he?' and apparently Bush said: 'Yeah, I wish he'd give it a rest,'" Geldof said.