African economic growth is recovering slightly. The African Development Bank estimates a rate of 3.6% for 2003. However, this is well below the average of 7% needed to meet the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people living in absolute poverty by 2015. Hopes of reaching this goal are dwindling given the numerous, more or less bloody, conflicts within and between African countries, the prevalence of autocratic structures and reform resistance as well as weak political and economic management. At present, Africa’s bloody hot spots are inducing growing international attention, some contributions to crisis management and – more general – efforts for better governance. What can be expected from the initiatives which have been taken recently by the USA, the EU and by African countries themselves?
Full article available only as PDF