We examined the nature, sources and causes of Africa's 'debt', which is a fundamental cause of underdevelopment, poverty and inequality; is owed to the same forces that benefited from slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism; has served to build the wealth and power of the elites in Africa; and is not only a financial, but a political instrument of domination and control of the North over Africa.
We note, however, that NEPAD
- accepts the obligation for Africa to repay this illegitimate debt to the further prejudice of fundamentally important social services and development needs;
- ignores the demands for total debt cancellation produced by campaigns in Africa, in South-South campaigns and worldwide.
On this basis we
- We demand total and unconditional debt cancellation.
- We reaffirm the demand for reparations for the social, economic and ecological damage done to Africa and its people through slavery and colonialism.
- We call for the return of Africa's wealth corruptly transferred by African elites and held in the North.
- We undertake to intensify popular mobilisation to pressurise African Governments to repudiate the debt.
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