Why should rich countries help Africa - and other developing countries – to develop and eradicate poverty ?

People living in rich countries might not feel concerned even if aware of what is going on in developing countries. As long as one has enough to eat, water to drink and, say, a nice car, he might be tempted to turn his eyes and pretend he doesn’t see.

This is forgetting that the future of the world also depends on Africa’s future. Even if poverty is located, its consequences know no frontiers. Poverty fuels extremism and terrorism, two evils that have already hit rich countries.

Then aid should know no frontiers. When a school is built or a child is saved in Africa, western countries show how much they care. And, doing so, might prevent terrorist attacks.

Like the Marshall plan (proposed by the United States to Europe after WWII) was not only fuelled by generosity but by a will to curb the spread of communism, a comprehensive (and efficient) plan to fight against poverty all around the world would both reached moral and political aims.

Fight against poverty and you will fight against extremism is one of the messages delivered today by U2’s singer, Bono. Two birds with one stone…

– Benoit Petit