'Leaders robbed Africa blind'
2002-06-14 14:42
Lagos - Corrupt leaders have looted some $140 billion from Africa in the last three or four decades, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.
Obasanjo, who made the disclosure in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Thursday, said the leaders' pilfering was the main reason for poverty in Africa, according to his office.
The Nigerian leader was in Ethiopia to deliver a speech to
delegates at a conference organised by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) with representatives from African civil society.
Obasanjo also called on world leaders to assist Africa to
recover some of the stolen funds stashed away in foreign accounts.
"We are working to get an international convention by which
money stolen by corrupt African leaders and stashed abroad is
repatriated," he said.
He said while African leaders are the main culprits, western
countries which harbour the loot should also bear some
responsibility.
"It is not enough to accuse developing countries of corruption," he said.
"The western world must demonstrate practical commitment to
assist us by repatriating monies that have been stolen from our
treasuries and stashed away in their financial institutions," he
added.
In Nigeria, for instance, about $4 billion was said
to have been looted during the regime of late military ruler
General Sani Abacha.
A recent deal was brokered in the Swiss capital, Geneva, to have some of the money returned.
In return, Nigeria agreed to halt legal action abroad against
the Abacha family and unfreeze more than $100 million which it would allow the family to keep. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA