09/23/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10146

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

The United States has joined other major countries in supporting the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. This initiative is designed to help meet the desperate need for economic development in Africa. In the past decade, the already large number of Africans living in poverty has grown by tens of millions.

In launching the partnership, African leaders recognized the direct connection between good governance and economic development. As U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said at the United Nations on September 16^th, "Africa’s leaders have accepted primary responsibility for Africa’s development. They have committed themselves to the changes their countries need to attract and use development capital from all sources. They have pledged to open their governments, strengthen their economies, and educate their people."

Countries whose leaders are not committed to good governance are bound to suffer. Like Zimbabwe. There, President Robert Mugabe has pursued unchallenged power by decimating the rule of law and abusing the human rights of its citizens. The damage caused by his senseless assault on democratic values has been compounded by his chaotic and lawless program of farm seizures. As a result, Zimbabwe is suffering from devastating food shortages. Its rapid economic decline is affecting not only Zimbabwe but neighboring countries as well.

Clearly, countries face a far better future if their leaders adhere to the kinds of reforms pledged in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. These include respect for democratic principles, zero tolerance for corruption, sound management of economic affairs, and avoidance of conflicts with neighboring countries. South Africa, Lesotho, and Madagascar are examples of countries that have made progress on such reforms. And, said Mr. Powell, these are the countries that are also seeing increases in trade, foreign investment, and economic growth.

As Secretary of State Powell said, the U.S. "is committed to helping the people of Africa build a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future." And the way to that future, he said, is through the "principles of good governance, open markets, and human rights."