Geldof calls on US to do more for Africa
Bob Geldof today called upon North America to do “a lot more” towards tackling poverty in Africa.
With just over a week to go until the G8 summit and six days to Live8, the pop star is scouring the country to generate support.
Yesterday he was at Glastonbury, today he joined Britain's Chancellor Gordon Brown at London’s British Museum for Africa Live – a venture between the museum and the BBC.
Geldof urged the hundreds present to be a part of Live8 next weekend and stressed how important it was that poverty was obliterated once and for all.
“Africa is the most amazing place,” he said. “We need to get away from the image of Africa as impoverished and starving and poor.
“These people should not have to live in the conditions that they live in, we need Africans to be treated as a living and thriving partner.”
But the former Boomtown Rat conceded that he was “not fabulously” confident that all he is fighting for will be achieved.
Although delighted about the EU’s recent commitment to doubling aid and the cancellation of debt for 18 of the world’s poorest countries, he said it wasn’t enough.
“The Europe thing was fantastic and I would like it to be across the board,” he said.
“The Americans, they need to come to the party. Although they may not bring cash they will bring goal orientated objectives and that’s alright, that’s fine.
“We need proper grown up politics and people need to be serious.
“I wouldn’t have believed the debt relief and aid six months ago although it is just Europe – I want the Canadians and Americans to do a lot more.”
Geldof said the American religious coalition in favour of eradicating poverty was a strong force in the US that could not be ignored.
“It is all there to play for (at the G8 summit),” he said.
“There is a lot of pressure there and there are a lot of people – it is a great opportunity, providing Africa comes to the party too.
“We must have good governance in Africa and there must be regulation.”
