Bob Geldof, the renowned rock star and humanitarian, voiced strong opinions about African leadership as he lobbied then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to lead a campaign for boosting aid to the continent.
According to recently released documents from the National Archives in Kew, London, Geldof was highly critical of the capabilities and effectiveness of many African leaders during the discussions surrounding his push for a “Marshall Plan” for Africa.
Pushing for a New Approach to Aid
In the early 2000s, Geldof advocated for substantial changes in how Africa was supported by the international community.
He played a key role in persuading Blair to set up the Commission for Africa, an initiative aimed at addressing the continent’s development challenges.
However, despite his support for the campaign, Geldof was not particularly keen on the idea of involving African leaders in the leadership of the report.
He preferred the initiative to be led by Blair without a co-chair from Africa.
The Need for Immediate Action
Geldof was determined to move quickly on his vision.
He pushed Blair to take immediate action, stressing that the 20th anniversary of LiveAid and the UK’s presidency of the G8 provided the perfect opportunity to propose increased aid.
He warned that if Africa’s economic challenges weren’t addressed, it could lead to mass migration and social upheaval, with Africans seeking better opportunities in Europe.
In a letter to Blair, Geldof expressed urgency, saying: “I know I’m pushy, and I know you’re up to your neck, but something short of the normal seven-week delay response would be welcome (do you use Royal Mail?).
Seriously though, this must be implemented almost immediately.”
Tensions Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, there was some tension about how the commission should be structured.
Liz Lloyd, a senior adviser on international development, voiced concerns about Geldof’s desire for the commission to remain independent, even though it would be chaired by Blair.
She also noted that Geldof’s strong opposition to an African co-chair was an issue.
According to her, Geldof viewed African leadership negatively, stating that he found “virtually all African leaders” to be lacking in worth and capability.
Acknowledging Success, but Holding Strong Views
Despite his criticism of African leadership, Geldof later praised the final agreement that resulted from the Commission for Africa’s work.
The pledge to double aid to the continent and cancel some of its debt was seen by Geldof as a significant achievement, a “mission accomplished” moment for him and his campaign.
However, his harsh assessment of African leaders and his insistence on a Western-led initiative left a lasting impression on the project.