Structural adjustment, but worse. Its the EUs proposed Economic Partnership Agreements! http://www.bilaterals.org/spip.php?article17417

Behind the media noise, an under-reported but vitally important discussion is taking place between Europe and Africa, the result of which will affect the lives of millions of African workers, families and children. Over recent months this discussion has gathered in momentum and urgency as the European Union becomes increasingly desperate to secure a deal with African countries to gain access to new markets and resources as it tries to stumble its way out of the global financial crisis.

That’s right, it’s the European Union’s proposed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Sexy no, important yes.In essence, EPAs propose a similar set of neo-liberal economic policies as those enforced by the disastrous structural adjustment packages of the 1980s. The liberalisation and deregulation policies enshrined in structural adjustment have retarded African development, led to cutbacks in government provision of social services, and overseen growing inequality on a colossal scale.