Africa prepares G8 message on aid, debt, trade

But Britain, which is hosting the G8 summit, due to start in Scotland on Wednesday, said any move to increase aid was the right thing to do, and anyway, trade was the key to unlocking Africa’s development.

Britain’s International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn, said at the AU summit: ‘‘In the end it’s going to be economic development, opening up the world trading system, enabling Africa to earn and trade its way out of poverty.’’

In the AU gathering’s other major piece of business, leaders endorsed a plan to demand two permanent seats on a reformed UN Security Council, although they dodged the question of selection of representatives.

Diplomats said African leaders did not want to spark acrimony among the top contenders, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt.

—Reuters