The IMF's external relations department has spent the last two months furiously rebuffing charges that the Fund has exacerbated famine in Niger. The debate centres around the impact of structural adjustment measures and accusations that donors initially refused to allow the government to distribute free food to affected areas.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Land
News
Setbacks to privatisations across Africa
The collapse of a flagship water privatisation in Tanzania, and opposition to both a planned privatisation of the state cotton board and the completed privatisation of the state railway in Mali, highlight the continuing struggle over pressure from the Bretton Woods institutions to privatise in Africa.
Accountability
News
Wasn't that a party…
The music at the farewell party for outgoing World Bank Kenya country representative Mukthar Diop…
Land
News
Aid, death and dogma
A report released in May by UK NGO Christian Aid, documents case studies in India, Ghana and Jamaica where imposed liberalisation has ravaged local industry with devastating social impacts.
Environment
News
West Africa gas pipeline approved
The World Bank's board of directors recently approved an investment guarantee for the US$590 million West Africa gas pipeline (WAGP)
Social services
Commentary
The private sector in Ghana’s water - a strategy to serve or steal?
Rudolf Amenga-Etego of GrassrootsAfrica comments that the Ghanaian government must re-prioritise the national budget in favour of the water sector. However, this will only be possible if the international financial institutions are restrained.
Social services
News
Fund irate over NGO claims that it blocks progress on AIDS
A report released by NGOs ActionAid, Global AIDS Alliance, Student Global AIDs Campaign and RESULTS Educational Fund charges that IMF fiscal targets limit spending on HIV/AIDS programmes.
Rights
News
West Africa Pipeline approved despite resistance
The World Bank's board of directors have just approved an investment guarantee for the US$590 million West Africa gas pipeline (WAGP). Civil society organisations in the region have focussed their concerns on violence and instability in the oil and gas communities of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, and the negative effects of gas flaring.
Accountability
News
Chad-Cameroon pipeline: Corruption and double standards
The Bank’s claim that the Chad-Cameroon oil and pipeline project proves that petro-dollars can benefit the poor is undermined by the claims of local communities and NGOs who cite numerous examples of violations of social and environmental safeguards.
Accountability
News
Private sector safeguard review continues despite boycotts
Civil society organisations globally have stepped up their campaign against the International Finance Corporation's process to overhaul its safeguard policies.
Accountability
News
Wolfensohn: African governance “polluted”
The latest soundbite from Bank president James Wolfensohn has to be read to be believed.
IFI governance
Background
Bretton Woods Institutions should “start a new life”: Chinese central bank governor
A panel was held with southern country officials to discuss the democratic deficit at the World Bank and IMF.
