Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane says G8 leaders are making "hot air" promises when it comes to giving substantial aid for Africa.
Ndungane, speaking yesterday at a media briefing of the African Monitor, an advocacy organisation of which he is the founder and president, said the G8 summit held in Germany last week had disappointing outcomes for Africa.
He said G8 leaders' promise this year to increase spending to combat HIV, TB and malaria to $60-billion (about R432-billion) was - except for the US - the same amount to which they had already previously committed themselves.
Ndungane said the fight against these diseases was hampered by the fact that no time-frame was attached for when these funds would be disbursed.
"Without any concrete plan of action, this promise (for aid) is simply hot air," he said.
He added that he was "puzzled" by how the G8 handled some climate-change issues.
"On the one hand, the USA is prepared to spend billions … on HIV in Africa, and on the other, they refuse to deal responsibly with climate change, which will also kill hundreds of Africans through droughts, floods and accelerated poverty," Ndungane said.
He said the G8's failure to commit to fair trade and opening market agreements "casts doubts about the seriousness of the G8 to contribute effectively to the development agenda in Africa". - Sapa
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