Lusaka, 15 April, 2023 / 9:30 pm (ACI Africa).
The debt crisis that a number of African countries are facing is “a ticking time bomb”, officials the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA), a coalition of Jesuit NGOs working for justice and ecology in Africa, have warned.
In a statement issued on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank April 10 to 16 Spring Meetings, the Executive Director for JENA urges the international community to take “bold action” to help address African debt crisis and foster sustainable development on the continent.
Africa’s debt crisis “is a ticking time bomb that undermines the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Fr. Charles Chilufya says in the statement shared with ACI Africa on Friday, April 14.
“JENA believes that the international community must take bold action to address the debt crisis in Africa and support sustainable development efforts. This includes debt relief, debt restructuring, and providing new and additional financial resources to support countries' sustainable development efforts,” Fr. Chilufya says.
He adds that JENA stands “in solidarity with the people of Africa and call(s) on the global community to work towards a just and sustainable future for all."