As we get closer to the special Jubilee Year in 2025, a group of Christian and Muslim leaders from across Africa are making a big noise about debt. They say that African countries are struggling to pay back what they owe, and this is stopping them from helping their people.
A Plea for Change
These religious leaders met up in Rwanda to talk about this huge problem. They’ve written a letter to some of the world’s most powerful groups, like the G20 and the United Nations, asking for big changes to how the world works with money. They want these groups to help African countries develop and look after their people better.
The Money Crunch
The leaders say that Africa is spending a whopping $90 billion this year just to pay back its debts. That’s a lot of money! And it means there’s less cash for things like hospitals, schools, and helping poor people. It’s a tough choice between looking after people and paying back what you owe.
Learning from the Past
These leaders remember a time around the year 2000 when lots of people came together to help countries get out of debt. It was a big deal, and it helped lots of people. But now, things are tough again. The leaders say that unfair money rules, wars, and problems like climate change have made it even harder for African countries to manage their debts.
What Needs to Happen
So, what do these leaders want? Well, they’re asking for a few things. First, they want some debts to be wiped out completely. Second, they want a better system for dealing with debts in the future. This would mean everyone involved in lending money has to play fair. And third, they want more help for African countries to grow without getting into more debt.
A Call to Action
The leaders finish their letter by saying the world has a choice. We can either help people in Africa, or we can let things get worse. They’re hoping that world leaders will listen and do something to help.
The Pope’s View
Pope Francis has also talked about this debt problem. He says it’s making life really tough for millions of people, especially in poorer countries. He wants to see big changes in how money works around the world, so that everyone has a fair chance.
The Pope is hoping that the Jubilee Year will be a time for forgiveness and new beginnings. He wants to see countries working together to solve this problem and build a better future for everyone.
African Faith Leaders Call for Debt Forgiveness added by NEWSNET DESK on
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There is a need to forgive debts where the African leaders are sincerely using funds for the people. In other places , a crackdown must be made on these selfish leaders and bring about a change so that funds for Africa go to the poor and not elsewhere.