"African leaders on Tuesday discussed ways to ride out the global economic downturn, fearful that 2009 will see trade hit and reductions in much-needed aid and development finance ... [They] warned that Africa would struggle to cope with the global downturn, which could end years of growth in many countries driven by record commodities prices."Unless we act, and act now and decisively, the majority of African states could become failed or failing states over the coming decade," [Meles Zenawi said]." (Quoted from article)