The Jubilee Debt Campaign, demands an end to the scandal of poor countries paying money to the rich world. They are calling for 100% cancellation of unpayable and unfair poor country debts.  BMS World Mission and the Baptist Union of Great Britain are members of the JDC coalition.

Last month Liberia's debt cancellation was delayed again. The International Monetary Fund failed to agree how to clear arrears built up during 14 years of civil war. This must happen before any of Liberia's massive $4.3 billion debts can be cancelled.

In ten days time, there will be another chance to reach agreement at a finance ministers meeting in South Africa. Without concerted efforts by countries including the UK, another opportunity could go begging. Liberia could be forced to wait on into 2008 before it can enter the Highly Indebted Poor Country initiative, which would cancel some of its debts.

IMF shareholders have been discussing how to resolve this issue for more than 18 months. At the IMF's annual meeting in Washington last month, countries blamed each other for the stalemate. Meanwhile, the people of Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world, face life expectancy of just 42 years and an average daily income of $0.33.

Most of Liberia's debts are illegitimate, run up under the brutally oppressive regimes of Samuel Doe and Charles Taylor with no benefit to the people. Liberia's new President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is Africa's first female elected head of state. She is trying to rebuild the country, but Liberia's huge debt burden remains a major obstacle.

Please write to Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, and ask him to do all he can to break the deadlock. Ask him to ensure Liberia gets the debt cancellation it urgently requires:

www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/liberia

Want to know more about the the Jubilee Debt Campaign, why not ask James Stygall.