Nelson Mandela, probably the most revered man in the World, has called on the G7 nations to cancel Africa's debt. This is a reasonable request and would probably help some of the impoverished countries in Africa like Ethiopia,Somalia, Sudan, Mocambique and Eritrea to win some time.
But why ask for every African country to be absolved? Countries like Angola, Kenya,Uganda and Nigeria are some of those who could have done better with their resources. Angola, for instance,has the second biggest oil fields in Africa. They spend nothing on the poor citizens of their country but can afford great privileges for their top dogs. Yes, the top dogs--- and there are many of those in quite a few countries in Africa---the guys skimming off 80% of the revenue. If you don't believe me let me say this: 78% of African Ministers in government service are on the take.This is a fact. And the take grows from the small man in the airport to the big man in the palace. What many people don't realise is that the "take" is part of African culture. Whether we colonials taught them that or not, it is happening every day in most African countries.
Just look at Nigeria. It is overpopulated (120 million people), under-developed ( albeit with massiveoil resources) and their citizens are reviled the world over because they are introducing the African scam to everyone who's a sucker.
Mr Mandela is right. Give those countries needing help their due. The rich countries who do not pour a cent into reconstruction or the alleviation of poverty need tough sanctions against them rather than debt relief. The begging bowl should be put away in their case.