Africa has spoken. It delivered and rejected the control strategies of France, which have always characterized its relations with the old continent. But this time, it was neither representatives of public institutions nor heads of state who had the right to speak. The latter has been granted to new generations. Contrary to what the public authorities would have done, young people from various African countries question the French interventions considered public aid in Africa without any waffle.
This summit organized by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs from 5 to 8 October 2021, in Montpellier focused on the themes: civic engagement, higher education and research, entrepreneurship and innovation, culture, and sport. It brought together entrepreneurs, intellectuals, researchers, creators, athletes, artists, and influencers and put French President Emmanuel Macron in front of the African youth.
Emmanuel Macron wanted this 28th summit between France and Africa to mark a break from the previous ones and provide an opportunity for an open dialogue between civil society actors. Since February 2021, he has entrusted historian and political scientist Achille Mbembé with preparing this event to listen to young Africans and the African diaspora members in France.
Professor Achille Mbembé was able to mobilize between March and July 2021 more than sixty-five (65) debates and meetings in a dozen countries of the African continent and cities in France. He collected the grievances of personalities living in Africa and members of the African diaspora in France.
At the end of these exchanges, a report was submitted to President Emmanuel Macron in which a set of recommendations were included, including the “rebuilding” of relations between Africa and France and the creation of a structure called “Maison of the African worlds and the diasporas ” to honor the memory of the Guadeloupean writer Maryse Condé.
During this summit, which aims to facilitate the reorientation of Africa-France relations, eleven (11) young people from different African countries questioned the impact of French development aid and French interference in African policies. With unparalleled elegance combined with frankness, the young woman named Rayimwende Eldaa Koama described the common ills of African youth about France-Africa relations. The entrepreneur vehemently denounced the methods used in the articulation of aid in Africa. Without any filter, it puts President Macron in the face of France’s bitter failure on the African continent. She pointed out the French Development Agency, whose dilapidation is proven but the actions are still not followed up. She then invited the head of state to redefine the direction of this fund jointly with those who are supposed to be beneficiaries.
With directness, she compared Africa-France relations to a pot full of corruption, French attitudes that devalue Africa, and requested the president to take concrete actions to cleanse it. “If relations between Africa and France are a pot, know that it is filthy. And it must be scoured by concrete steps. Otherwise, Africa will no longer eat. You will be all alone at the table with a problematic appetite,” the Burkinabé woman engaged in digital and social entrepreneurship stated without batting an eyelid.
The question of keeping the reserve of the CFA Franc funds that became ECO after the agreement signed between France and the member states of the West African Monetary Union in 2020 also entered the discussions. Young Senegalese activist Sheik Fall lambasting Africa’s humiliating dependence on France asked Macron to refuse custody of this reserve in Paris. In addition, he denounced the political influence of France in African affairs. The young Senegalese questioned Macron on the need to stop all French collaboration with African autocrats.
In front of an audience of 3000 people, the eleven personalities representing the continent, all from civil societies, demanded the reorientation of the reports developed by France in Africa. Suppose each of them had a speech containing their demands. In that case, they all have one thing in common: the end of the pseudo paternalistic cooperation that Paris has always had with Africa and the beginning of a relationship of equality.
From the outset, President Macron expressed his desire to review French interventions in African countries. He changed the term “Development Aid” that denotes French financial support in Africa to “Solidarity investment.”
By way of support for civil society in its initiatives to promote democracy on the African continent, France promised the payment of thirty million (30,000,000) euros. This fund, the deployment of which is planned over thirty (30) years, should be used to facilitate access to justice and fight against corruption and gender-based violence.
In addition, Emmanuel Macron announced the restitution of twenty-six (26) works of art to Benin by the end of October. This restitution will be continued with the Ivory Coast and so on, according to the method proposed in the Savoy-Sarr report, Emmanuel Macron said.
This summit is unprecedented. If Africa has always spoken through the body of men from public authorities, it is new voices, especially young people who have lifted the veil of France’s failures on the continent, analysts say.
However, it should be noted that several African actors, especially intellectuals, criticize this approach, while some perceive it as the continuation of France’s colonial perspectives on the old continent. Others wonder about the follow-up to this summit in reaction to the so-called insignificant actions announced by France.
Jean Edwidge PETIT-FRERE is MSc Candidate in Migrations Studies with a focus on Actors and institutions of migration, reception, and international solidarity in France.