Rwanda/Zambia: HIPC debt relief granted

In April, Honduras, Rwanda and Zambia all qualified for limited debt cancellation through the current international debt relief scheme (the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative). Whilst welcome, this falls far short of the 100% debt cancellation that Jubilee Debt Campaign is demanding for these and other impoverished countries. And it came only after the countries have implemented harmful 'structural reforms' demanded by creditors. Zambia, for instance, was forced to freeze public expenditure, meaning it could not employ thousands of much needed and qualified teachers.