The Nigerian government has cancelled its IMF programme. IMF spokesperson tests Argentinians’ sense of humour by agreeing that mistakes may be made again in the future. He explained: “that is economics. And that is why it is so much fun”.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Environment
News
Arrests of Tanzania mine activists
In late November the Tanzanian authorities took action against an organisation which has been investigating the death and dispersal of artisanal miners at a project backed by the World Bank Group.
Trade
News
WTO rejects Africans’ request for study of SAP effects before more tariff cuts
The proposal by seven African countries that the World Trade Organisation (WTO study the impacts of trade liberalisation measures imposed by structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) before launching another round of tariff-cutting negotiations has been ignored.
Environment
News
Tanzanian authorities attempt to silence activists on Bulyanhulu case
Tanzanian authorities have arrested Rugemeleza Nshala, President of the Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT), and raided the house of another LEAT lawyer, Tundu Lissu in connection with their investigations into abuses and irregularities at the World Bank-backed Bulyanhulu gold mine.
Conditionality
News
Link budget to PRSP
The budget in Zambia should be linked to poverty reduction priorities, urged the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCPJ) in a statement submitted to the government in October 2001.
Infrastructure
News
Ugandan dam approved
In late December the World Bank approved the Bujagali dam, Uganda.
IFI governance
News
Tanzanian citizens marginalised in donor meeting
The Consultative Group (CG) meeting held in Tanzania in September was criticized by Tanzanian civil society organizations (CSOs) for failing adequately to involve citizens.
Conditionality
News
Ghana PRS has “potential”
An assessment of Ghana’s Poverty Reduction Strategy process (GPRS) suggests there is much potential for formulating, in a participatory manner, an effective poverty reduction strategy.
Conditionality
News
Malawian PRSP concerns
The Malawian Economic Justice Network released a statement in early September.
Social services
News
Tanzanian user-fees concern
In 2000 the US Congress passed a law requiring the government to oppose loans that includes user fees for basic health or education services.
Infrastructure
News
Nigerian groups demand moratorium
In August, about 100 civil society organisations, most based in the Niger Delta, halted a consultation with Peter Woicke, Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Social services
News
Workers protest Burkina privatisation plans
More than 1,000 workers from 13 public companies took to the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in August chanting slogans such as “Down with wildcat liberalisation!” and “Down with Bretton Woods injunctions!”.
