POLITICS
AFRICA: Is Paris burning … in Africa?
We are on 9 November 2004 in Abidjan. The troops of Operation Licorne that day shoot at Ivorian rioters during anti-French demonstrations. Antoine Glaser, a journalist specializing in French-speaking Africa, sees it as a symbol of the loss of Africa by France.
Barely nine years after these tragic events, the French Army, still on African soil, this time in Mali, in operations of considerable magnitude and with Africanized titles Serval, then Barkhane, against a new enemy formidable : Islamist armed groups! In all the great cities of the north, the French army was welcomed as liberator, as was formerly the Division Leclerc of Koufra in Paris. The colors tricolor blue, white and red are then the firmament of success.
The respite was short-lived. This summer 2017, from the peninsula of Cape Verde to the valley of the Niger, the symbols of the françafrique are undermined. The most striking of them, with a staging close to the autodafé, was the destruction in public place of a ticket of FCFA by the activist Kemi Seba. The fight against this currency inherited from the colonial era, printed at the Chamalières factory of the Bank of France, became the spearhead of a determined African youth. The French army, too, is pointed out by the Sahelian populations. In the face of growing insecurity and the latest attacks in Ouagadougou and Timbuktu, some, in a low voice, would almost regret the occupation of the jihadists! To complete the misfortune, the emblematic statue of the colonial administrator Faidherbe at Saint-Louis falls. Carried by the French company Eiffage for renovation, this statue is escorted by the police in order to avoid acts of anger – even mystical, against it. A whole symbol!
“It is obviously too early to take stock of Macron’s African policy. But it is a safe bet that France will remain master of the game in its former colonies.”
With the arrival of Emmanuel Macron, France tries to reverse the curve of desamor. It is for this purpose that a presidential council for Africa (CPA) is set up. With the main objective of improving the governance of French African politics, the CPA announces the end of the unofficial intermediaries, the end of vexatious and humiliating speeches, a contrario the recognition of an innovative and conquering Africa.
It is obviously too early to take stock of Macron’s African policy. But it is a safe bet that France will remain master of the game in its former colonies. The levers of the Franchafrique have not disappeared from the institutional architecture despite the arrival of the CPA. At 2 rue Élysée, the quintessential publisher, will always decide the fate of some African heads of state. Special envoys to the Sahel will be responsible for implementing Macron’s security policy in the fight against terrorism and immigration. The future of Francophone Africa will always be defined in Paris and, unilaterally, with major illusionist projects of continental and regional integration, as the “road to freedom and responsibility that will go from the other side of the the Mediterranean and which will cross the whole of Africa “, following the example of the discreet UPM. Macron will not give up on the FCFA issue. After the threat “leave the FCFA if not stop criticizing”, then the talks behind the scenes, Macron announces a modernization of the zone CFA. He will not give up anything, the balance of power is still in favor of France!
The CPA is above all an instrument of seduction towards the African youth. Is not this attempt to please a sword in the water? Is it not already too late as the episodes of this summer suggest? The decision to postpone the constitutional revision aimed at strengthening the process of regionalization in Mali, which is eagerly defended and promoted by Emmanuel Macron, shows that the demonstrations of young Malians have borne fruit. African youth on social networks have already settled the CFFU debate in favor of a single African currency. In all these debates, Macron’s voice does not bear!
So, yes, Antoine Glaser, is right to think that France has lost Africa. This clay-colored colossus is still resisting because of the presence of Islamist groups, the absence of African leaders, the fragility of the socio-economic systems of the African states, and the almost non-existence of an ambitious industrial policy. But this resistance is on the defensive despite some initiatives like the CPA. France, under the era of Macron, will continue to consume itself gently but surely in Africa. Then, against the backdrop of the ruins of the Franchafrique, perhaps it will be time to consider a new place for France in Africa and ultimately to make a real cultural revolution between these two continents!
By Emmanuel Desfourneaux: currently Director-General ICAEP (Institute of Afro-European Culture in Paris) and Founder of this official Unesco NGO.
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
