14 May 2007
African civil society rejects the idea of Wolfowitz as Africa's friend, arguing that the Bank continues to undermine development on the continent.
On May 1, both the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times ran an op-ed by Nuhu Ribadu, the chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, entitled “Why Wolfowitz Should Stay” about the ongoing scandal involving World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. In his appeal, Ribadu praised Wolfowitz’s “energetic support for a new Africa that is struggling to emerge,” calling him “a champion of using international development institutions to deal with some of the world's major problems.” These sentiments were largely echoed by the finance ministers of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Mauritius, who labeled the embattled president “a visionary.”
Many African civil society activists, however, have rejected the claim that Wolfowitz has been such a good friend to Africa. Njoki Njehu from the Daughters of Mumbi Global Resource Center in Kenya attests that Wolfowitz has failed to change the Bank’s approach to Africa, arguing that the Bank continues to undermine development on the continent through the imposition of destructive economic conditions. She adds, “African politicians do African peoples no favors by making excuses for corruption and for the corrupt; Wolfowitz must resign.”
It is perhaps no surprise that such a prominent Nigerian as Ribadu has spoken out in favor of Wolfowitz, considering the historical relationship between Nigeria and the Bank. Not only is the Bank a major contributor to the anti-corruption body where Ribadu serves, Nigeria is also the Bank’s top borrower in sub-Saharan Africa. A number of Nigerians have also been named to important positions at the Bank. Before becoming Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala served as a Vice President at the Bank, and in April Wolfowitz tapped Obiageli Ezekwesili, then Minister of Education, to manage the Bank’s Africa program, based on her anti-corruption credentials.
Meanwhile, a Financial Times article raises new questions about Wolfowitz’s hotly contested anti-corruption strategy. The article cites Bank sources who confirm that the findings of a Bank audit of aid given to post-war Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have been kept quiet since the fall of 2006. The Bank has approved over $3.6 billion worth of projects for the DRC since reengaging with the country in 2001. According to the Financial Times, the failure to disclose the report has caused “‘considerable frustration’ within [the Bank’s] Africa and Congo teams,” while a senior UN official complained that it has undermined efforts to increase transparency in fiscal management.
The World Bank’s lending program to the DRC has come under intense criticism from Congolese and international groups, for its lack of oversight and its emphasis on investment in the natural resource sectors, such as logging and mining, as a key driver of economic growth.
Resources
- Why Wolfowitz should stay by Nuhu Ribadu, International Herald Tribune, May 1, 2007 (IHT website)
- African organizations reject ministers' praise for Wolfowitz, 50 Years is Enough, April 16, 2007 (50 Years website)
- New row over delay of Congo funds report by Dino Mahtani, Eoin Callan and William Wallis, Financial Times, May 8, 2007 (FT website)