The rock star and social activist Bono is warning African leaders that financial aid to their governments could disappear if they do not take decisive action to end political corruption.
During a speech Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, Bono recalled that rich nations agreed last year to cancel the debts of some poor countries, and significantly increase their development aid. However, he says, continued poor governance and unchecked corruption could result in Western donors withdrawing their aid pledges.
Bono says more and more donors in the United States and Europe are demanding greater accountability about where and how aid is being spent.
The entertainer, lead singer of the Irish rock group U2, began a tour of Africa last week to see what has changed since a similar trip he made four years ago together with former U.S. Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill. He visited Lesotho, Rwanda and Tanzania before Nigeria, and his 10-day tour also will take him to Mali and Ghana.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
