African children accuse leaders

The summit gave children the chance to speak out

Children from across Africa have held their leaders to account in a rare, face-to-face dialogue.

The youngsters, who are attending the United Nations children's summit in New York, told presidents and prime ministers from the continent that they had failed to improve their education and their health.

When you get the money, you embezzle it, you eat it

Joseph Tamale, 12

One child told African leaders that their parliaments were only used as "democratic decorations", while another accused them of embezzling the loans they have been granted.

The King of Lesotho said it was the first time he had been addressed in such blunt, direct terms, but the president of Mozambique said he was heartened by the intelligence and knowledge the children had shown.

The delegates, from more than 180 countries, are seeing to what extent the goals set by the 1990 World Summit for Children have been met.

They will also set new targets for improving the lives of children worldwide over the next 15 years.

Applause

Lineo Tsikaone from Lesotho said children should be given more responsibility.

"When is it that we are going to show our leadership skills?" she asked.

Most leaders just pay lip service to children

Bernice Akuamoha, Ghana

"I cannot wake up being a good president tomorrow when I haven't seen what a president does."

For Ugandan Joseph Tamale, corruption was a big issue.

"You get loans that will be paid in 20 to 30 years... and we have nothing to pay them with, because when you get the money, you embezzle it, you eat it," the 12-year-old said.

He was applauded by all, including the leaders.

'Demagoguery'

As the three-day meeting approached its end on Friday, the delegates spoke about Aids and other diseases, and of the 120 million children who do not go to school.

"Most leaders just pay lip-service to children," said Bernice Akuamoha, a 15-year-old from Ghana.

"They come and say all these nice things and we expect them to happen, but that's a whole other matter."

Lineo Tsikaone brings African leaders to book

Another teenager, Adam Maiga, from Mali, said: "We must put an end to this demagoguery. You have parliaments, but they are used as democratic decoration".

The leaders of Lesotho, Mauritania or Mozambique are not usually addressed in such blunt terms.

But Mozambican President, Joaquim Chissano, did not take offence. "I know from experience that children can do big things," he said.