Françafrique : France’s "neocolonial" relationship with its African former colonies

[Sonni]

Making this thread because most news regarding shady franco-african relations is not reported outside of francophone Africa. Will try to update regularly. Françafrique is France’s unique and obscure mix of military, economic, cultural, and political links with her former colonies and sometimes unsavory governments, it is criticized widely by intellectuals and activists opposed to it and calling it neo-colonialism. It has faded a bit compared to the heydays but never disappeared and it looks like France and the francophile elites in SSA do not want to let go. French economic, political, and humanitarian concerns, especially regarding the roughly two hundred thousand French citizens currently residing in Africa, are significant. Although current president Hollande criticized Françafrique during his presidential campaign as did Sarkozy btw, he like all his predecessors has remained loyal to its tenets.

the pillars of Francafrique are the CFA currency, the french troops stationed in most of her former SSA colonies, the big and smaller french companies operating in Africa, the french language and francophonie organisation, a small but very influential elite of francophiles especially in countries like Gabon, Ivory Coast and the weak and/or sellout presidents and/or dictators.
Françafrique - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Although Hollande criticized Françafrique during his presidential campaign as did Sarkozy btw, he has remained loyal to its tenets.



french troops in Africa
most have ''defense agreements'' with France



the two cfa franc zones
Guinea never was part of it and Mauritania opted out in 1973



countries were french is used as (one of the )official language(s) and/or as working language in administration, schools, etc. all but Algeria are members of the francophonie

 

[Sonni]

For criticizing the CFA, a Togolese Minister threatened by the BCEAO
10 june 2015

The case caused an uproar in the economic spheres of the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA): A Togolese minister is in turmoil to have questioned the conduct of monetary policy in the CFA zone.

Will Togolese Minister for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies retain his position in the new government to be formed Komi Sélom Klassou after controversy over his criticism of the monetary policy of the Central Bank of the States of West Africa (BCEAO)?

Economics Associate trained at the University Lyon II, Kako was Nubukpo macroeconomist and head of department at BCEAO headquarters in Dakar (Senegal) between 2000 and 2003, he was appointed in October 2013 in the Togolese government to follow and evaluate all the public policies of the country. During public lectures on the economy held in Lomé (Togo) in February and March 2015, the Minister suggested that further measures be taken to promote growth in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). In his sights: the foreign exchange reserves that deposited the two central banks BCEAO and BEAC (Bank of Central African States) with the French Treasury to ensure parity of the CFA franc with the euro.

The rule would these foreign reserves can cover at least 20% of the monetary issue made by the two central banks. But, says the minister, "in fact, the coverage rate is close to 100% for years." Hence the need, he said, to tap into this margin of 80% to provide credit to small and medium enterprises. If such a solution is adopted, estimates Kako Nubukpo, countries in the region could experience an annual economic growth of over 10%.


Reactions
Internal documents of the BCEAO, which have leaked in the media, reveal the uproar caused in the institution by the outputs of the Togolese minister. A note written by Kossi Tenou, National Director for Togo BCEAO has brought to the attention of the governor of the institution, the Ivorian Koné Tiémoko Meyliet "criticism by Kako Nubukpo against the BCEAO."

Comments included in the appendices by service chiefs indicate that "This is a hard monetary policy rather than contributions to improving public policy of the State." One hoped that the minister be recalled "in order to avoid in the future that it continues to make criticisms that have no link with the objectives at conferences in which it operates ".


Positions
The proposals of the Togolese Minister nevertheless join the positions adopted by several players of African finance, like Jean-Louis Ekra, President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), who hoped that a part of the reserves of African Central Banks to be mobilized to support the continent's economies.

The Bissau-Guinean economist Paulo Gomes has also called for a change in monetary policy in the UEMOA area. The "Fund Africa 50" of the African Development Bank (ADB), which started in 2014, also calls for the mobilization of part of the foreign reserves of the central banks to finance infrastructure on the continent.

President Faure Gnassingbé he give in to pressures by dismissing his minister of Foresight and Evaluation of Public Policies? Answer in a few days with the publication of the new government in Togo.

translated with Google Translate from Franc CFA : un ministre togolais sur la sellette - JeuneAfrique.com

 

[Sonni]

Lionel Zinsou freshly named prime minister was born and raised in France. He discovered Benin at a late age.

A few days ago the president of Benin has named a new prime minister named Lionel Zinsou. Lionel Zinsou is a mixed race franco-beninois, nephew of an ex-president. He is an economist who is very close to french political key figures and has worked for the Rotschild Bank and is said to have presidential ambitions. He also has worked with Laurent Fabius the actual french minister of foreign affairs.

He is a staunch promoter of ''a new dynamic between France and Africa''.
In 2013 conducted at the request of the Minister of Economy and Finance French, Pierre Moscovici, Zinsou together with ex french minister Vedrine published a report called: ''A partnership for the future: 15 proposals for a new economic dynamic between Africa and France'' the report was made public Wednesday, December 4, 2013.



'A partnership for the future: 15 proposals for a new economic dynamic between Africa and France''


The proposals are categorised into two groups: a first group of new proposals for the establishment of ''a shared economic agenda in the service of African and French Growth'' and a second group of recommendations to ''re-engage France alongside a Sub-Saharan Africa that is on the move'' activating all the political, financial and economic levers available in France.


Some of the 15 proposals for a new economic dynamic between Africa and France are:
-increase the influence of France in Africa


-stimulate Franco-African industrial alliances in key sectors for French and African economies

-reinvest as quickly as the French foreign economic presence in Africa

-create a Franco-African public-private foundation that will be the catalyst in the revival of economic relationship between France and Africa

Notable is that the report recommends geographical expansion of OHADA(see post nr 5 in this thread), primarily to the Lusophone countries, but also: the expansion of the "CFA zone" to neighboring countries, including Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone but under a different name. This integration should allow the area to become "a regional economic bloc strengthened and a forum for pan-African dialogue," able to interact more easily with the Nigerian giant.

The report also states that China has seen its market share in Africa go from less than 2% in 1990 to 16% in 2011, while between 2000 and 2011, "the market share of France in SSA HAS declined 10.1 % to 4.7%. In the eyes of Zinsou and Vedrine it is urgent to value "the historical settlement of French firms, language and proximity of administrative structures in much of Africa "create a competitive advantage".



AfricaFrance, for a shared growth. that worked out well these last 50 years


On February 6, 2015, France launched the initiative AfricaFrance a foundation headed by Lionel Zinsou and supported by the Foreign Ministry and the MEDEF (Movement of the Enterprises of France) with the aim of reviving the economic relations between France and Africa.

source: Jeune Afrique

 

[Sonni]

Idriss Deby called on African countries to get rid of the CFA Franc
Friday, August 14, 2015



The President of Chad, Idriss Déby, has made a proposal for the least unexpected. It calls on African countries to leave the Franc CFA zone to create their own single currency. During the celebration of the 55th anniversary of independence of Chad, on Tuesday, the Chadian President has made him, taking head on sensitive topics. After a highly publicized exit of its war strategy against Boko Haram, Idriss Déby touched an economic subject hitherto avoided by several leaders of the continent: the CFA franc. Speaking on the CFA, the Chadian president did not mince his words. "There is now the FCFA which is guaranteed by the French treasury. But this money, it is African. It's our money to us. We must now actually assure that in fact that currency is ours so that we may, in time, we can make the currency convertible currency and a currency that allows these countries still using the CFA to develop. I think this is a brave decision that our French friends have to take. "


"The economic clauses between France and Africa(n former colonies) are outdated"
Deby continues on an austere tone, criticizing economic clauses between French-speaking Africa and France. Clauses that it considers outdated. "Africa, the subregion, Francophone African countries too, what I call monetary cooperation with France, there are provisions that are outdated. These clauses then, should be reviewed in the interests of Africa and also in the interest of France. These clauses take the African economy down, these clauses will not grow with that currency then. " Convinced by his ideas, Idriss Deby called on Africans to take their courage in both hands. "We did not need to look from noon to 14 hours. We will continue to heart friendship with France. But we must have the courage to say that the time has come to cut a cord that prevents Africa to take off. "According to the Chadian President "is not a gift question. No head of state, no minister, no African should make this issue a gift question. It is not the question, it's our money. " And Deby to wonder: "Why this currency is not convertible? Why spend all exchanges by the central bank of France? What do we gain by putting our resources in transaction accounts? What is the interest rate we earn? Chadian President did not stop there. It adopts a satirical tone, even verging on the ridiculous. "The CFA Franc is the paper today. In two years, it becomes the cloth. We can not even use it. "The About Deby delight in their France and the Western powers? Note that this same issue had cost dearly Muammar Gaddafi, former President of Libya, in its obsession to equip Africa with a single currency.

translated with google translate from Idriss Déby appelle les pays africains à se débarrasser du Franc CFA

 

[Sonni]

The French Military Intervention in Mali: Not Exactly Françafrique, But Definitely Post-colonial



''we push people to betray their own country'': officer of the french secret service(dgse)

very good read to understand the real reason the french intervened. The French Military Intervention in Mali: Not Exactly Françafrique, But Definitely Post-colonial

 

[JahFocus CS]

Great thread. at the entire situation.

 

[Red Shield]

the expansion of the "CFA zone" to neighboring countries, including Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone[ but under a different name. This integration should allow the area to become "a regional economic bloc strengthened and a forum for pan-African dialogue," able to interact more easily with the Nigerian giant.

Some of those CFA countries are most likely starting to stir. Also I don't see those 3 nations joining any zone with France.
France is on borrowed time at this point


Your ass is gonna be Portugal/Spain status in the future

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

So why couldn't Niger handle their Islamist problem on their own?

Its one thing to be anti-colonialism, but when you need help, you need help.

 

[NSSVO]

Go home France.

 

[Sonni]

So why couldn't Niger handle their Islamist problem on their own?

Its one thing to be anti-colonialism, but when you need help, you need help.

Niger ?

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

Niger ?

Africa - French special forces ‘to protect’ Niger uranium mines

 

[Sonni]

Africa - French special forces ‘to protect’ Niger uranium mines

That’s not Niger asking France for help but France taking initiative and preemptively sending forces to protect the Areva uranium mines which are of very strategic importance for France. States like Niger are economically and diplomatically too weak to downright refuse. There’s a reason why stronger nations like Algeria and Nigeria want nothing to do with the french and would never allow french troops on their soil. More cooperation between the states in the region and less corruption, more professionalism and patriotism too would help a lot.

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

That’s not Niger asking France for help but France taking initiative and preemptively sending forces to protect the Areva uranium mines which are of very strategic importance for France. States like Niger are economically and diplomatically too weak to downright refuse. There’s a reason why stronger nations like Algeria and Nigeria want nothing to do with the french and would never allow french troops on their soil. More cooperation between the states in the region and less corruption, more professionalism and patriotism too would help a lot.

But Niger is next to...Mali...which...well...you know

 

[Sonni]

But Niger is next to...Mali...which...well...you know

Than you should’ve said Mali and not Niger.
And specifically in the case of Mali it was president Sarkozy that made a deal with the mnla rebels and gave green light to Libyan tuareg soldiers of malian origin and mercenaries to flee Libya with sophisticated weapons at the sole condition that they abandon Kadhafi. The deal included diplomatic support and media coverage(propaganda) for their cause. Later on it didn’t went as planned and the terrorist movements being stronger and better financed than the secular rebels chased them away from their positions. When the terrorists tried to push further South the malian president wrote a letter and the french intervened. To make it short if you’re point was to say that Mali brought it to herself because they weren’t capable of defending themselves than we can agree. The Malian state has definitely walked itself straight to the lion’s den and made many mistakes but France is not an ally of no african nation. They’re the one who validated Mali being attacked and the north being occupied in the first place. its just that the terrorists upset the plan.

 

[Sonni]

french politricks in the francophone nations of Africa are known as the ''pompier-pyromane''. the arsonist fireman. a long history of instigating, validating coups, armed rebellions, corruption scandals, sabotage, murder etc ... to then intervene and appear as the peacemaker and savior. they will never voluntarily let go because if they did let go its former colonies France will be Spain status.