Truthout is an indispensable resource for activists, movement leaders and workers everywhere. Please make this work possible with a quick donation.
Washington, DC – African mayors gathered in Accra, Ghana to call on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to cancel debts owed by the countries impacted by the Ebola epidemic. The Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent made the call in a communique named “The Accra Accord on Ebola.” This call follows efforts by Jubilee USA, a religious debt relief group, to move forward a debt relief plan for Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The plan was endorsed by the US government who brought the plan to the G20 summit. 100 million dollars in debt relief could become available from a special IMF trust fund set aside for countries impacted by natural disasters.
“The call from African mayors must be heard,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of Jubilee USA. “Debt relief means a long term investment in health infrastructure in the countries affected by Ebola.”
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia owe an estimated $370 million to the IMF, $55 million of which is due over the next two years. Guinea, where the outbreak began, spends more money annually on debt than on public health. US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is negotiating with the G20 to make the debt relief plan a reality. The IMF trust fund, where the debt relief funds are available, was established in 2010 when Jubilee USA called for the cancellation of Haiti’s debt after its devastating earthquake.
“Debt relief is not only needed to fight Ebola, but also to strengthen these health systems for the future,” said LeCompte, who sits on UN expert groups that monitor the global debt crisis. “We stand with these African leaders and call for debt cancellation.”
Read more about the Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent’s statement on Ebola.
Read more about Jubilee’s efforts to win debt relief for Ebola-stricken countries.
Read Jubilee USA’s release on the US Treasury’s call for the G20 to support debt relief for Ebola affected countries.
An important fundraising appeal: We still need to raise $9,000
Truthout is one of only a few platforms for justice-oriented, grassroots journalism. Today, as political censorship from the right intensifies, we have no choice but to ask for your help.
We are fundraising right now to cover our basic operating expenses. If you can support Truthout with a one-time or monthly donation, you will make a significant impact on our work. Anything you can do makes a difference — we appreciate your support.