In 2002 the IMF advised the Malawi government to sell their grain store to offset Western debts. As a result they lost their insurance policy covering them against famine. "We argued against it, but the IMF said that if we did not do this they would not give us any money", complains Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of Malawi. Rafiq Hajat of the Institute for Policy Intervention believes the IMF should "bear full responsibility" for the consequences of this advice. With the failure of the G8 to live up to expectations, the coming crisis once again questions the relationship of the West with Africa. (SBS)