- More than 20 faith and development leaders from the UK and Africa have come together to urge political parties in the UK to commit at the next General Election to cancel the debts of low-income countries to prevent more communities falling into hunger and poverty.
- 54% of Brits think the UK Government should introduce legislation to help ensure private lenders play their part in cancelling debt when lower income countries are in crisis.
- Kenya, which is facing one of the worst droughts on record, has been spending five times as much on debt repayments than on health. Christian Aid, CAFOD, and Debt Justice warn over $1.1 trillion in external debt looms over African countries and 25 of them are trapped in deep debt crisis.
Ahead of an expected General Election next year, faith leaders from the UK and Africa have come together to urge the UK political parties, through an open letter, to commit to cancel the debts of low-income countries to prevent more communities falling into hunger and poverty.
The intervention comes as new polling by Savanta, commissioned by Christian Aid, shows over half (56%) of the British public agree it is wrong that lower income countries are left without money to pay for health, education or to respond to the climate crisis because of unsustainable debts owed to private lenders. In contrast, just 8% disagreed.
The findings also show over half of the British public (54%) also believe the UK Government should introduce legislation to help ensure private lenders play their part in cancelling debt when lower income countries are in crisis.
Kenya is facing one of the worst droughts on record, with 2.8 million people in need of food assistance according to the World Food Programme. Despite the immediate need to respond, the Kenyan government has been spending five times as much on debt repayments than on health.
International development charities Christian Aid and CAFOD, alongside Debt Justice, warn over $1.1 trillion in external debt looms over African countries and 25 of them are trapped in deep debt crises. Ahead of the publication of the UK Government's first White Paper on development in more than a decade, the coalition is calling for legislation that would enforce the participation of private creditors in debt restructuring.
Christian Aid’s Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns, Osai Ojigho, said: “From the coronavirus pandemic to the ongoing climate crisis and the knock-on impact of the war in Ukraine, too many families in the lower income countries are struggling to survive.
“Despite this, debt repayments are taking away resources that are vital for coping with the health, social and economic crises resulting from the pandemic. Moreover, lower income countries simply cannot afford to invest in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of the climate crisis such as flooding and hurricanes.
“The UK has a moral obligation to lead the world in compelling commercial lenders to cancel debts that are plunging communities around the world into hunger and poverty. Now is the time for political leaders to lead.”
The Ven. J. W. Kofi deGraft-Johnson, the general secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) added: “In a world where the bonds of mutual dependence are evident, we must act as stewards of compassion and justice. It is therefore heartening to see a majority of Britons acknowledging the unbearable burden of debt on low-income countries.
“The plea for debt cancellation is not just about economics. It’s a moral call for solidarity, compassion, and justice too. The UK, as a beacon of hope, must lead in legislating this moral truth and ensuring private lenders bear their share of responsibility in fostering a world free from the chains of debilitating debt, aligning our actions with our shared values of equity and love for our fellow human beings.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
A note on methodology:
Savanta interviewed 2,197 UK adults online from 15th September to 18th September 2023. Data were weighted to be nationally representative of UK adults by age, gender, region, and social grade. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
The key findings included:
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is wrong that numerous lower income countries are left without money to pay for health, education or to respond to the climate crisis because of unsustainable debts owed to private lenders.
- NET Agree: 56%
- NET Disagree: 8%
Numerous lower income countries are in a debt crisis, meaning they are left without money to pay for health, education or to respond to the climate crisis. Which of the following best describes your view?
- The UK Government should introduce legislation to help ensure private lenders play their part in cancelling debt when lower income countries are in crisis - 54%
- The UK Government should not introduce legislation to help make sure private lenders play their part in cancelling debt when lower income countries are in crisis - 24%
- Don't know - 23%
Text of the letter:
We write as leaders representing faith communities across Africa, united by a common concern for justice, equity, and the well-being of all human beings. Our shared values compel us to address the pressing issue of unsustainable debt burdens that have been inflicting immense suffering upon people in lower income countries for far too long.
Our communities face the growing devastation of the climate crisis, they are still recovering from the pandemic and continue to experience the knock-on impact of conflicts such as in Ukraine.
At the same time, over $1.1 trillion in external debt looms over African countries, with 25 of them trapped in deep debt crises. This financial strain has dire consequences for achieving global sustainable development and climate goals. Instead of prioritising our response to the climate crisis, rebuilding our devastated health and education systems, and addressing the food and energy price rises that are overwhelming our poorest communities, we are paying back debts.
While we recognise with gratitude what the UK has done in reducing debt owed to public bodies, including the UK government, it can do more to reduce the debt burden perpetuated by private creditors. From 2023-29, 41% of lower-income country external debt repayments is owed to Western private creditors. They have so far chosen not to participate in debt relief processes, and distressingly refused to suspend debt repayments even at the start of the pandemic. As a result, much of the savings made by debt repayment suspension from other creditors have been redirected in repayments to private creditors, severely undermining other relief measures.
For the sake of the communities we serve, we urge all UK political parties to address this matter by committing to enforce the participation of private creditors in debt restructuring. Specifically, we call on you to introduce or to commit if elected to government to introducing legislation that could bring about transformative change for those communities: and to establish a debt moratorium during debt restructuring negotiations, safeguarding borrowing nations from further financial strain. This would prevent the acceleration of payments under English law while negotiations are ongoing.
The UK has an opportunity to be a beacon of hope and compassion, leading the way to a fairer and more just global financial system.
Thank you for your consideration and for your efforts to bring justice where it is most needed.
Yours sincerely
- Mrs. Rebecca Tarpeh-Major, Secretary General of the Inter-Faith Religious Council
- Ven. J.W. Kofi de Graft-Johnson, General Secretary, Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA)
- Pierre Cibambo, President Caritas Africa
- Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Chukwudi Njoku, Director, Justice Development Peace And Caritas, Catholic Archdiocese Of Owerri
- Rev. Melvin Kennedy, Director Of Governance, Liberia Council Of Churches Of Churches
- Rev. Dr. Billy Gama, Chairman, Malawi Council of Churches
- Rev. Sr Regina Ignatia Aflah, Vice Superior General of HDR Congregation
- Alice Anzoyo C. Dralum, Director, Centre for Leadership and Management, Tangaza University College
- Rev. Canon Emmanuel Yona Chikoya, General Secretary of the The Council of Churches in Zambia
- Fr. Rafael Sapato, Regional Director IMBISA Secretariat
- Imam Mohammad Kiazolu, Benson Street Mosque
- Hajia Ayishetu Abdul-Kadiri
- Pastor Rayben Akukwe
The letter has also been supported by the following faith leaders in the UK:
- Revd. Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
- Dr. Kang-San Tan, General Director, BMS World Mission
- Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church
- Revd Gill Newton, President of the Methodist Conference and Deacon Kerry Scarlett, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
- Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain
- Most Revd Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
- Rt Rev. Brian McGee, Catholic Bishop of Argyll and the Isles and Bishop President of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
- Rt Rev. Stephen Wright, Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and Chair of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
