Africa: When France’s hatred of pan-Africanists drags the European Union into the quagmire
It is no secret that the French State harbors a growing animosity towards Africans, particularly towards Pan-Africanists. These individuals, through their commitment to defending the sovereignty of African nations and denouncing France’s neocolonial practices, represent a threat to French interests on the continent. This resistance causes significant discomfort within French political and media circles, where Pan-Africanists are systematically discredited, insulted, and demonized on television platforms.
But France does not stop there. It is now mobilizing the European Union (EU) to intensify pressure on Africans who dare to challenge its hegemony. By attempting to generalize its opposition through the EU, France seeks to legitimize its strategy of economic and political predation in Africa. However, this approach risks creating a rift between the EU and African countries, who have no issues with other European nations, but rather with France itself.
Historically, France has distinguished itself by refusing to relinquish its grip on its former colonies. While other European countries have accepted the end of their colonial ventures, France has implemented mechanisms like the CFA franc to maintain control. Today, in the face of the rise of Pan-African movements, it seeks allies to preserve its interests.
However, the EU would do well to distance itself from this harmful strategy. By supporting France, it risks losing essential African partners and compromising its own relationships with the continent. Africans are eager to collaborate on an equal footing, but this requires breaking away from neocolonial practices. The EU must choose: continue to follow France down a destructive path or embrace a new era of mutually beneficial cooperation. The choice it makes will have profound repercussions on its future and its relationships with Africa.
