The millennium development goals and Africa: Challenges facing the commonwealth

The Commonwealth is failing to face up to the main obstacles to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Instead it is pinning the aspirations of the developing world on the benevolence of the developed world through aid. The author suggests this risks perpetuating the current state of play. No overhaul is likely until and unless the Commonwealth grasps the nettle of the nature of politics in many African states.