Over the last two years Africa has been severely affected by the downturn in the world economy, resulting in 53 million more people being thrust into poverty.  As a result of the legacy of colonialism and neocolonialism, the prices of exports from the continent have gone down while the cost of food, fuel and other commodities imported into Africa has increased drastically.

According to Abdoulie Janneh, the United Nations Under Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the AU Executive Council—which met prior to the summit—has an essential role to play in ensuring the continent speaks with one voice on international questions involving the economic crisis, as well as the post-Kyoto negotiations related to climate change.

Janneh noted that political stability was largely dependent upon economic stability. He said the economic growth rate in Africa was 6 percent last year and could possibly drop to 2 percent by the end of 2009. Janneh appealed to the upcoming G20 summit, to be held in Pittsburg in September, to fulfill its promises of assistance made four years ago at the gathering in Gleneagles, Scotland. Billions of dollars were promised to foster economic development in Africa.

This was written by by Abayomi Azikiwe and edited by, Pan-African News Wire.

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Source: http://www.workers.org/2009/world/african_women_0709/