Coup d'état and 'Françafrique' attitude
Mali (2020), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022) Niger (2023) and now Christmas. Each State has its own socio-political reality, and the Western view cannot make generalities. Every coup has its peculiarities and reasons, because Africa is vast and each people has its own internal reality. But the five are united by a common component: they were all French colonies, independently at the end of the 1950s or early 1960s, and yet, despite spending more than sixty years, they still want to emancipate themselves from the claws of France. The messages of many Africans against the excessive presence of France as "neocolonialism" can be caused among the slogans screamed.
Françafrique therefore continues today, although the term invented in 1945 to designate the relations of the time of the colonies. The discoloration did not wipe out the spirit of Françafrique and French interests work in Africa, officially or unofficially, unless in the centres of power near them. Obviously, permission to bipirate Africa is not going for free, and surely this 30 August a coup d’état brings as a most significant example Christmas.
Of course, the accession of the Bongos to the presidency since 1967, the fact that one in three gangs lives in extreme poverty, but the enrichment of the external multinationals thanks to the exploitation of the oil, wood or minerals of the site, have boosted the contraction of power. But the close relationship between the Bongos and France must also be taken into account. To illustrate the reality we can determine that this family that has held the Christmas presidency for 56 years owns 28 luxury hotels in Paris, a total good of EUR 88 million, according to a justice study last year. In Bizkaia, around 400 French military personnel are entitled to be on Christmas to "cooperate" and "defend" their French companies. The nostalgic of colonialism can therefore relax.
For decades, the military carrying the coup d ' état has been applauded by citizens, including many young people. How could the insurrection of these citizens lead to the suspension of power? Probably. But the witnesses know perfectly well that they would suffer strong repression. Violent and doubly violent, because it is usually a response assisted by Paris that seeks the survival of the Franco-Afrique spirit.
For the time being, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger (and probably Christmas) stand together as a bloc against international interests. Because, in addition to France, there are many international stakeholders: in general the European Union EE.UU. Russia, China… that consider African lands to be of economic, political and military interest. What remains to be seen is how these new governments are agreed, apart from the discrepancies. It remains to be clarified what its future is to propose it... For Africa and for Africans.
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Pilar Calcada is part of the Cedars group. On January 15th, the group called to take advantage of the “excellent opportunity” that will exist in the coming years to boost the arms industry, in an ostentatious event that resonated a lot. According to the study of the... [+]
