African Currents

Macron's Policy Missteps Erode French Influence in Former Colonies

Relations between France and its former colonies in Africa has drastically thawed, resulting in its diminished influence in those countries. Also, New Caledonia's recent unrest begs the question: Why is France's influence under Emmanuel Macron's presidency?
Sputnik
“France is losing its grip” on its former colonies in West Africa due to “its paternalistic attitude” towards them, and this is also the case in that "particular territory [New Caledonia],” remarks Victor Chiagozie Ariole, Professor of French, Translation, and Francophone Studies in the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos.

“The Kanakians, the people I will call Melanesians, are not seriously involved in governance, and of course, they are disempowered. They are disempowered because they don't go to school as such, or they are not being given the opportunity to really educate themselves. Beyond that, their tribal leader, Jean-Marie [Tjibaou] we know today is fighting for them; they have not been so emancipated in their politics and economics,” Prof. Ariole notes.

In addition, Sputnik Africa discussed the 49th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which faces serious challenges, underlines Dr. Ferdinand O. Ottoh, Senior Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

"I think the founding fathers should be happy that the organization has been able to live up to 49 years; by next year, it will be 50 years. And a child of 49 old years is no longer a child but an adult. So ECOWAS is an adult. It has come to stay. And it has passed through many difficult times. But in spite of that, the sub-regional body has continued to exist," comments Dr. Ottoh.

To find out what else our guest had to say, tune in to the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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