DAKAR, Senegal (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien was full of praise for African leaders Friday as he headed home after a nine-day swing through the continent. Chretien visited six countries and met with 16 African leaders to lay the groundwork for talks to increase aid to the troubled region at the next G-8 summit.
The prime minister went so far as to paraphrase one of his personal heroes, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and declare that the 21st century belongs to Africa.
"And the 21st century will be the century where Africa truly belongs to the international community," Chretien said.
Laurier, who was prime minister from 1896 to 1911, said at the dawn of the last millennium that the 20th century belonged to Canada.
Chretien was impressed by the unanimity among African leaders on the priorities for helping the continent.
"I was impressed by the cohesion of everybody," said Chretien, who was to arrive in Ottawa on Saturday morning.
"They all have the same approach. They were talking about what is required to put Africa back on the agenda of the world and to create the proper conditions for investments."
Aid to Africa will be a key topic at the G-8 summit to be held in June in Kananaskis, Alta., a plan Chretien said will present a "new beginning" for the continent.
The visit was part of Chretien's mandate as president of the G-8.
"When you give me a job, I do it," he said. The trip, which covered roughly 39,000 kilometres, was briefly interrupted so Chretien could attend the Queen Mother's funeral in London on Tuesday.
African leaders acknowledged the concerns of other countries in investing in the continent and proposed that a ratings system be established to give a clearer picture of the region's stability.
The countries would be ranked according to respect for human rights, how well it is governed, how well corruption is controlled and the efficiency of its judicial system.
The system is not perfect but at least it shows a move in the right direction, Chretien acknowledged.
Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal, praised Chretien for his interest in the region and his efforts to aid in its development.
"The eyes of millions of Africans will be on Kananaskis," Wade said.
He said the meetings in Alberta should go well because a consensus already exists.
"You have acted on our behalf before these meetings in Africa and we can only congratulate you on this," Wade said.
"I think all the contact you have had with many African leaders shows you we are all heading in the same direction."
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