(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain believe bad administrations are mostly to blame for the current setbacks of African countries, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 79 per cent of respondents blame corrupt and incompetent African governments.

The spread of HIV/AIDS was second on the list of causes with 53 per cent, followed by civil wars and fighting among African states, the exploitation of the continent by multinational companies and foreign investors, and overpopulation.

On May 27, British prime minister Tony Blair called for action, saying, "(Africa is) the only continent anywhere in the world that has gone backwards in the last 30 years." Blair has called for an additional $25 billion U.S. a year in assistance for the continent from the world's most developed nations. 52 per cent of respondents believe Africans will only be able to solve their problems with financial and other assistance from rich countries, and 70 per cent propose a bilateral partnership to achieve solutions.

British chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown has urged rich countries to pardon the debt relief owed by African nations to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

Polling Data

Which of these factors do you think have contributed most to Africa's problems?
(All answers)

Which of these statements comes nearest to the truth?

Whose responsibility is it to solve Africa's problems?

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