Imani Countess, Foreign Policy in Focus

BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board Member Imani Countess has worked with U.S.-based Africa advocacy, development, and social justice organizations for 30 years. She’s held leadership positions with the Solidarity Center (AFL-CIO), the National Democratic Institute, the TransAfrica Forum, the American Friends Service Committee, Shared Interest, Africa Action, the African Development Foundation, the Africa Policy Information Center, and the Washington Office on Africa. Contact Ms. Countess. David A. Love, JD Managing Editor: Nancy Littlefield, MBA Publisher: Peter Gamble

Cover Story

‘The Ugliest Chapter Since Slavery’: How Illicit Financial Flows Thwart Human Rights in Africa

By Imani Countess, Foreign Policy in Focus Editorial Board

for most nations in Africa, where illicit financial flows (IFFs) rob countries of $60-100 billion dollars each year — losses in many countries that exceed foreign direct investments and development assistance. Funds that could be used to secure basic economic and social rights — for example the rights to social security, decent work, and human dignity — are instead held in secret tax havens for the benefit of corporate elites.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turned 70 on December 10. Governments and civil society organizations around the world commemorated the day with a range of…

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