African Leaders vow to compel G-20

Speaking at the closing session of the IMF conference on Africa here last week themed "Changes: Successful Partnerships for Africa's Growth Challenge", South Africa's finance minister, Trevor Manuel, said he was going to send a clear message to the other G20 leaders about how the global crisis, which was triggered by the credit crunch in the US, is about to cause severe damage to African economies.

Manuel, whose country is the only African state in the G20 group, said "when we meet in London next month, I am not going to be humble to the G20. They need to understand that Africa knows what is wrong, how it came about, and that we want it corrected. The IMF must also convey this message to them on behalf of Africa if our relations are to remain good.