The French policy in sub-Saharan Africa since 1960

Résumé du document

The French policy in Africa is frequently deemed neo-colonialist. France would enduringly attempt to keep its former colonies within its sphere of influence for economic and political reasons. Cases in point are the lyrics of the song "Françafrique" by the Ivorian descent artist Tiken Jah. Fakoly François-Xavier Verschave mentioned the 'Françafrique' as a scandal in 1999 . The latter policy means that French leaders aim at leading the former French African Empire through indirect means, generating military, economic and political dependencies. Paradoxically enough, the French cooperation policy has undoubtedly been one of the main engines of Africa's development. What has been the role of France in its former sub-Saharan African colonies since 1960? Can we draw a line between economic, cultural and military backing and imperialism? The different types of cooperation appeared to me as an effective method of analysis. That is why in the first part, we will focus on military cooperation. In the second part, we will consider economic cooperation policies. In the last part, we will get a look at cultural cooperation.

Extraits

[...] As a consequence, twenty former French colonies in Africa signed up bilateral military agreements. Nowadays, twenty-five countries are concerned by these agreements that little by little extended to countries that did not belong to the former French empire: Zaire, Central African Republic . Basically, they are designed to place African countries under the French territorial protection. Nevertheless, eight countries also signed up for internal protection assistance. For instance, the agreement with Gabon declares, internal defence responsibility belongs to the Gabonese Republic, but Gabon can ask the French help in the circumstances stipulated in the special agreement”[3]. [...]

[...] The French army has stayed involved in Africa so as to achieve several missions. Those missions were all aimed at maintaining stability. Some were intended to defend countries against foreign and internal threats; some were rather shaped to protect French expatriates and economic assets. The main problem entailed by this presence is the lack of sovereignty among African countries. The French-African bond is therefore biased by the role played by the French army. Over the forty past years, France carried out many coups and supported disputed leaders. [...]

[...] Africa is obviously an energy stake for France. As a result, ELF and COGEMA, respectively French oil and nuclear companies, are deeply involved in Africa. This led to scandals which pointed out corruption and pressures carried out by both French governments and firms. For example, in Congo, most ministries are settled in the only skyscraper of Brazzaville, which was built by ELF in exchange of its monopoly over oil research[14]. ELF is the first taxpayer in Congo. Therefore, some French firms can really pressure African states. [...]

[...] Scientific cooperation Some French research institutes are almost specialized in sub-Saharan agronomy. The Institute for Research and Development (IRD) works on scientific researches aimed at development and cooperation. For example, the IRD works on varieties of seeds more resistant or more eager to grow in tough environments. The Institute for Actual Research for Developing Countries (CIRAD) works on agronomy especially aimed at Africa. The role of these bodies goes further. They send scientists in African countries so as to help setting up infrastructures schemes such as irrigation systems. [...]

[...] Since 1975 and the military assistance treaty signed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing and Juvenal Habyarimana, French and Rwandese leaders remained in very good terms. Mitterrand's both son and head of the African cell, Jean- Christophe Mitterrand and Habyarimana's son used to be friends. The French army trained Rwandese troops. During and after the conflict, France was accused of delivering arms to the Hutus. In January 1994, the BBC reported that a French aircraft loaded with mortars was confiscated by the UNAMIR in Kigali's airport[9]. French diplomatic services declared that the planes were carrying military personals and material for the evacuation. [...]