37 

 INTRODUCTION 



I would like to thank Chairman Gejdenson of the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade 

 and Environment and Chairman Johnston of the Africa Subcommittee, as well as other 

 committee members for inviting me to participate in this important hearing. I am Henri 

 Nsanjama, a native of Malavn in southern Africa. Currently, I serve as Vice President of the 

 Africa and Madagascar Program of the World Wildlife Fund -US. 



This hearing is taking place at an opportune time. Opportune because, on the one hand, 

 Africa is currently going through a process of political reform to more democratic forms of 

 government. On the other hand, the United States government is considering cutting back 

 developing assistance fundi rg; r.o Africa. The new democratic Africa requires immediate 

 assistance in the form of financial resources to reverse the more than thirty years of tyranny 

 and mismanagement of governments. If adequate external financial resources are not 

 available for Africa now, the environment will inevitably sjffer through unsustainable 

 exploitation of natural resources to satisfy immediate short term needs. Aid to Africa from 

 the United States di.ring Lhis critical period will draw a line between a rotting and degraded 

 African environment and a better future for the citizens of Africa. 



