More aid for Africa

Africa report demands aid boost
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4337083.stm

The UK-led Commission for Africa has urged wealthy nations to double their aid to the continent, raising it by £30bn ($50bn) a year over 10 years.

African leaders need to root out corruption and promote good governance, the commission's final report says.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said reducing poverty in Africa was "the fundamental challenge of our generation".

In an impassioned plea, rock star Bob Geldof urged rich countries to "get real" or be shamed forever.

"Africa can change for the better and the report shows how," Mr Blair said at a news conference in London to launch the report.

"There can be no excuse, no defence, no justification for the plight of millions of our fellow beings in Africa today," he said.

He set up the commission, which includes several African leaders and singer Bob Geldof, in February 2004 and promised to change UK policy to follow the report's recommendations.