How France (Still) Controls Africa

Summary

The script explores the legacy and continuation of French colonialism in Africa, highlighting how France, once a dominant global empire controlling territories across continents, has morphed its control into a form of neocolonialism. This neocolonial presence is primarily maintained through economic agreements that exploit the natural resources and economies of former colonies, particularly in Western and Central Africa. Despite formal independence, these countries remain economically tied to France via the CFA franc, a currency that limits their monetary sovereignty and hinders their economic development. The narrative criticizes this enduring exploitation, suggesting it benefits French interests at the expense of African development and sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The French Empire was historically one of the most powerful, controlling almost 10% of the world's land area, including 17 modern-day nations in Africa.
• 🚩 Under a 'civilizing mission', France's occupations in Africa were brutal, enriching the empire at the cost of slavery, extraction, and murder, leaving a lasting negative legacy.
• 💼 Post-WWII, despite decolonization, France sought to maintain influence in Africa through 'cooperation agreements', tying former colonies to France economically and militarily.
• 💵 These agreements often included currency control, with African countries using the CFA franc linked to France's currency, limiting their monetary sovereignty.
• 👥 The first generation of leaders in postcolonial French Africa were closely aligned with France, often installed by the French and maintaining beneficial relationships for French elites.
• 🛢️ France's interests in African resources, like Gabon's oil and uranium, led to support for dictators and interventions to protect French economic interests.
• 🏛️ The legacy of French influence is seen in the continued poverty and underdevelopment of former colonies, contrasted with the wealth extracted to France.
• 📉 The use of the CFA franc contributes to economic challenges in former colonies, hindering growth and development by tying their economies too closely to European priorities.
• 🌐 French neocolonialism in Africa is marked by economic exploitation without the pretense of governance or improvement of local living standards, termed as over-exploitation.
• 🌏 France's economic power is significantly reliant on its continuing influence in Africa, highlighting a neocolonial relationship that benefits France at the expense of African development.

Q & A

What percentage of the world's land area did the French Empire control at its height?

At its height, the French Empire controlled almost ten percent of the world's land area.

What was France's justification for its brutal occupations in Africa?

France justified its brutal occupations in Africa under the banner of a 'civilizing mission,' which purportedly aimed to improve the territories it controlled but resulted in exploitation and suffering.

How did France maintain its influence in Africa post-independence of its colonies?

Post-independence, France maintained its influence in Africa through 'cooperation agreements' that allowed France rights over natural resources, military presence in the territories, and linked the countries' currencies to France's currency.

What is the 'CFA franc' and its significance in the context of French influence in Africa?

The 'CFA franc' refers to the Franc of the Financial Community of Africa, a currency used by former French colonies in Africa, signifying France's continuing economic control and lack of monetary sovereignty for these countries.

What were the consequences faced by Guinea when it rejected the French cooperation agreement?

When Guinea rejected the French cooperation agreement, France cut all foreign aid, launched a campaign to destabilize the government including flooding the country with fake banknotes, significantly harming Guinea's economy.

Who was Jacques Foccart and what role did he play in France-Africa relations?

Jacques Foccart was a French diplomat who oversaw France's relations with Africa for almost thirty years, building a network of client relationships with African leaders through corruption and covert operations.

What economic impact has the CFA franc had on countries using it?

Countries using the CFA franc experience limited monetary sovereignty, making their economies more susceptible to external factors like Euro fluctuations, which hampers domestic industry development and economic growth.

How did France's relationship with Gabon exemplify neocolonialism?

France's relationship with Gabon, involving control over natural resources and financial support in exchange for political and economic influence, exemplifies neocolonialism by maintaining exploitative structures without formal colonial governance.

What term is used to describe France's continued exploitation of its former colonies in Africa?

The term 'neocolonialism' is used to describe France's continued exploitation of its former colonies in Africa, highlighting how colonial-like exploitation persists without formal colonial rule.

How has France's economic position been affected by its activities in Africa according to Italy's foreign minister?

According to Italy's foreign minister, France's economic position benefits significantly from its activities in Africa, suggesting that without these activities, France would rank as the fifteenth largest world economy instead of being among the first.