Former South African president Nelson Mandela said yesterday that democracies have to evolve and should not be forced. The day before a White House meeting with US President Bush to ask for help for Africa, Mandela who had bluntly criticised Bush over the war in Iraq, said he wanted to put tensions over Iraq behind him.

To a small audience at the Brookings Institution think tank, he said, "Such disagreements are not uncommon among friends." Mandela had once characterised Bush as a leader who "cannot think properly". He said democracies should be built upon consensus and inclusivity that allows people to decide changes on their own.

"In an effort to terminate all forms of tyranny everywhere ... true democracy cannot be imposed nor transported, it must be home-grown," said Mandela, who is well-known for being awarded the Nobel Peace.

Mandela, 86, guided South Africa until it achieved democracy in 1994 and also spent 27 years in a South African prison under white rule. He has now officially retired from his public life but his recent visit was mainly to promote the U.S.-based Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust which will raise funds for his humanitarian work across Africa.

Wealthy countries belonging to the Group of Eight rich nations have been pressured by Mandela to increase their aid in Africa. He has demanded that G8 leaders show the "political will" to help pull Africa out of poverty and debt. "The U.S. and other donor nations should increase aid to Africa on terms that are more flexible and responsive to the priorities set by Africans themselves," he said. "Africa and its people expect nothing less. We mean it when we say Africa's time has come."

The importance of democratic values and human rights is being recognised by African leaders. According to Mandela, Africa must abide by internationally accepted standards of transparency, accountability and good government. He added that the government should be held responsible for meeting these standards.

"Unless and until Africans are willing and able to curb abuses of power, Africa will never have peace and stability, end poverty, or find its rightful place in a globalising world," Mandela said.