Proposed aid budget deeply damaging for Africa and for France

The Assemblée Nationale will debate the French aid budget today.  The proposals on the table would mean a stagnation of overall French aid, severe cuts of some bilateral grant aid projects in Africa and would mean that Germany will overtake France as a donor to Africa.

Bono, co-founder of ONE, said:

“The proposed stagnation of French aid will have profound implications in both human and geopolitical terms.

“Planned cuts in bilateral grant aid would mean 55 proposed lifesaving projects will not go ahead.  Cutting education in the Democratic Republic of Congo, taking away the possibility of clean drinking water for the people of Mali, cutting agricultural programmes in Senegal – I can’t believe this is being suggested by the France I know and love.  If these cuts are not reversed then President Sarkozy’s commitments to Africa, like putting 8 million children in school in partnership with FIFA, will also not be delivered.

“The impact in geopolitical terms will be great. This budget proposal means that Europe’s influence in Africa will fall even further behind China. Extraordinarily this year will also see Germany overtake France in support to the continent.”

Oliver Buston, European Director of ONE said:

“President Sarkozy has shown great vision in leading the world in these times of economic adversity.  We look to the French President and the Assembée Nationale to do whatever it takes to put French levels of aid back where they belong. At these times of crisis, support for the world’s poorest may feel like a luxury – but it in fact is a necessity.  If we fail to keep our promises we will pay a great price in the future.

“President Sarkozy has made a string of pledges since getting into office.  He has promised to double French food aid, to increase aid in health to Africa by $1 billion a year, and to put 8 million African children in school by 2010.  Under the current budgetary proposals, it is very hard to see how any of President Sarkozy’s promises will be delivered.  At a time when President elect Obama has committed to double American development assistance it would be deeply distressing if France moved in the opposite direction given her deep historical links with Africa.   The Assemblée Nationale has the chance to turn this situation around, and we’re counting on its députés to show the strength of their parliamentary democracy and do just that”.

For more information please contact:

Oliver Buston, Directeur pour l’Europe +44 7963 288 446 [email protected]