Africa Deserves A "Road Map"

Statement By Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

"Today, President George W. Bush stood where countless Africans stood before being sold into bondage and called slavery ‘one of the greatest crimes of history.’ He ‘talked the talk,’ but will he ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to truly addressing the modern-day needs of Africa? The United States’ periodic, nit-picking approach to problem-solving there has not, and WILL not, work. We need a Road Map for Africa, crafted with the same care that went into crafting a Road Map for the Middle East.

"A Road Map for Africa must overcome a nearly 400 year legacy of unregulated business, investment and trade that gave us slavery, colonialism and widespread human and economic exploitation. I introduced such a plan four years ago, The HOPE for Africa Act of 1999. It was based on Human Rights, Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment as the basis for a new, respectful and mutually beneficial human and economic relationship between the United States and the African continent.

"Unregulated business and investment, structural adjustment programs built on debt service, is the status quo or worse. This formula has given Africa wealth in the hands of a few, followed inevitably by ethnic and tribal civil wars over food and economic security, undemocratic regimes, and economic and political instability.

"I support bilateral, multilateral and international trade. I am no economic isolationist or economic protectionist. However, I am clear about our need to establish a new principle that should underlie EVERY trade bill in the United States—trade benefits must be shared widely by the majority of the common working people in every participating society. It must not just benefit the business, financial, and political interests of an elite few.

"Business and investment in Africa are also critical. Our African Road Map must ensure the average African worker a minimum wage. Workers should also have rights, including the right to organize for their own protection and economic security, to work in safe and healthy conditions, and protect the environment at the same time. Business development and economic growth must be sustained, so the common people of Africa might be able to work their way out of poverty with dignity.

"The U.S. must provide trade remedies that can be embraced by both working Americans and working Africans because it raises the living standards of both. Average workers on both continents will be able to buy the goods and services that they produce, strengthening the economy immediately and into the future.

"First, the Road Map should affirm each African nation's right to economic self-determination. It must be built on the principles and goals developed by African finance ministers in cooperation with the Organization for African Unity, and with input by African workers' organizations.

"Second, the Road Map should offer a solution to Sub-Saharan Africa's crushing, multi-billion dollar debt through comprehensive debt forgiveness. Excluding South Africa, with upwards of 20 percent of Sub-Saharan nations' export earnings going to debt service, few resources are left to devote to development and urgent needs.

"Third, the Road Map should be even farther reaching than the planned $15 billion African AIDS initiative championed by the President. It must address the AIDS crisis by replenishing and targeting assistance from the Development Fund for Africa for AIDS education and treatment programs; making it U.S. policy to assist Sub-Saharan African countries in efforts to make needed pharmaceuticals and medical technologies widely available; and prohibiting the use of U.S. funds to undermine African intellectual property and competition policies that are designed to increase the availability of medications. Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, 83% of AIDS deaths have occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"Fourth, the Road Map should restore Africa's budget line item for foreign aid with a set guaranteed amount, not to decline below 1994 levels. This would restore parity for Africa with U.S. foreign aid treatment of other vital regions. Currently, Africa is the only region without a line item in the budget.

"Finally, former President Clinton said we must put a new and human face on trade. That still has not been done. The new face must be based on a new foundation. The policies regarding Africa that the Congress sets now will deeply affect the economic future of the continent and, thus, the future of the African people for decades to come. With such high stakes, it is vital that we get the policy right."