Connect with us

News

IMF, World Bank Must End Colonial Rule, Says ActionAid

Published

on

IMF, World Bank Must End Colonial Rule, Says ActionAid

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid has said the time is up for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to stop perpetuating a colonial rule on the world.

The call was made at the weekend as the two global financial institutions conclude their Spring meetings in Washington DC this week.

ActionAid, in the statement said for the last 80 years the IMF and World Bank have been in existence, not much has changed as global South countries have been pushed further into debt and are reeling from the impacts of IMF-imposed austerity measures.

In its 2023 report Fifty Years of Failure, ActionAid found that despite following the IMF’s advice for decades, many African countries are in debt distress or facing a high risk of debt distress. Austerity measures have blocked the recruitment of teachers, doctors and nurses, even in countries with severe shortages, and has squeezed public sector salaries at a time of a rising cost of living.

Global Lead on Economic Justice and Public Services at ActionAid International, Roos Saalbrink, said:“Countries in the global South have since the structural adjustment progammes been in perpetual austerity, eroding public health and education. At a time of unprecedented climate crisis and debt crisis in the global South, the Bretton Woods Institutions continue to oil the wheels of colonial exploitation and extraction. At the same time global South governments have very little say in the policies coming from these institutions at the centre of the international financial architecture. 80 years is enough.”

The statement said ActionAid is also concerned about a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ which has ensured that the IMF managing director has for 80 years been European and the World Bank president a US national.

Country Director of ActionAid USA, Niranjali Amerasinghe, said: “Kristalina Georgieva’s appointment is a continuation of the colonial era ‘gentleman’s agreement’, where rich western powers have the most say. It is unacceptable that 80 years later we are still having to call this out. The IMF must change its leadership selection process, its decision-making model, and the harmful practices that keep developing countries in a cycle of crisis.

“As the climate crisis wreaks havoc, global South countries are so deep in debt that they cannot adapt to these impacts. We are calling for debt cancellation and tax justice to help these countries free up the finances needed to build resilience to climate impacts.

“We need to see an overhaul of the international financial architecture with a proper debt workout mechanism, a UN tax convention, to ensure global South governments have a say over policies impacting them disproportionately.”

ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people living in more than 71 of the world’s poorest countries, the organisation wants to see a just, fair, and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.

IMF, World Bank Must End Colonial Rule, Says ActionAid

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed

Published

on

Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is open to a fair, credible, and transparent primary election if there is no general agreement on the consensus mode.

Governor Buni started this while commenting on the crisis rocking the party over the governor candidate for the 2027 general election. He said the party has not foreclosed direct election to produce its candidates for the contestable offices for the 2027 general election.

According to him, the party is still working on dialogue; “we are talking to each other and reaching out to the stakeholders, including the aspirants, to arrive at an amicable solution.”

“As the governor of Yobe state, I will be the happiest person to see that the state and party are peaceful and united, noting that we remain citizens of Yobe state and members of APC.

“My expectation is to see us more united and collectively working for our candidates to win the 2027 general elections,” Governor Buni said.

Governor Buni further said, “As a founding member, former secretary, and national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the unity and progress of the party mean so much to me personally; therefore, I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to remain Nigeria’s ruling political party.”

He expressed optimism that the aspirations for public offices in the state are driven by the desire to serve the people for a better and improved life.

Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed

Continue Reading

News

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash

Published

on

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Kamuru village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources said the arrest was made at about 0330 hours on May 12 during a coordinated operation in the area.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Husaini Jibrin, 45, was reportedly apprehended at Kamuru village over alleged involvement in a kidnapping incident that occurred in Angwan Ali community on April 26, 2026, within the same local government area.

According to the sources, the suspect is believed to be linked to the planning and execution of the abduction, which had triggered security concerns in surrounding communities at the time.

Items recovered from the suspect include one mobile phone and the sum of ₦10,000 in cash.

The military said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks operating in the region.

Authorities added that troops have intensified surveillance and patrol operations across vulnerable communities in southern Kaduna to curb criminal activities and improve public safety.

Operation Enduring Peace continues to conduct joint operations with local security outfits and community-based structures as part of efforts to address insecurity in affected areas.

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash

Continue Reading

News

Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt

Published

on

Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have repelled an armed attack on an isolated settlement in Vwang Kagot community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in an incident that left two civilians dead.

Security sources said the troops responded swiftly at about 0130 hours on May 12 following reports of an attack by suspected armed assailants on the rural community.

The attackers, reportedly described as suspected armed herdsmen, stormed the settlement and engaged in violent activities before the arrival of security forces.

Upon intervention, troops in collaboration with Keystone Kuru Division forced the assailants to withdraw from the area.

However, the attackers had already killed two residents identified as Ngo Shetu Badung, 78, and Mr. Danjuma Badung, 52, before fleeing the scene.

Following the incident, troops launched clearance operations in the general area and are currently trailing the fleeing suspects.

Military authorities said additional patrols and surveillance measures have been intensified to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.

Operation Enduring Peace noted that it remains committed to stabilising vulnerable communities across Plateau State and ensuring that perpetrators of violent attacks are brought to justice.

Local security stakeholders have also continued engagements with community leaders to strengthen early warning systems and improve response to emerging threats in rural settlements.

Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights