Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: four martyrs, 70 injured by IOF fire near aid center west of Rafah, southern Gaza.
The Mujahideen Movement: The two were killed along with dozens of others from their family in a cowardly Zionist assassination that targeted the Sabra neighborhood today
The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement mourns the martyrdom of its Secretary-General, Asaad Attiya Abu Sharia "Abu Al-Sheikh", along with his brother Ahmad
Abu Zaid: I believe that the Iranian operation was multi-layered, combining cyber and electronic attacks with coordinated on-the-ground infiltrations by agents
Abu Zaid: Usually, archives of such sensitivity are typically protected by a full-scale security system, but it appears that Iranian intelligence managed to make use of a gap in it
Strategic military expert Nidal Abu Zaid: Iran has stripped "Israel" of the superiority and deterrence long boasted by its security minister, chief of staff, and other top officials
Fallahpour: Iran may use these documents in its battle with the United States and Western countries over its nuclear program
Fallahpour: Iran may have obtained additional documents related to "Israel's" regional projects, not just its nuclear program
Fallahpour: The coming weeks will be full of surprises, as Iran has forced Israeli intelligence agencies into a state of psychological exhaustion
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Tehran, Siavash Fallahpour: Iran has redefined the concept of deterrence, shifting it away from traditional military balance toward a new strategic framework

Fearful of being kicked out of Africa, French senators write to Macron

  • By Janna Kadri
  • Source: News Websites
  • 8 Aug 2023 14:52
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

In the letter published by Le Figaro, the senators state that the idea of being described as nostalgics for Françafrique is an aberration that merely served to conceal France's failures and setbacks.

  • x
  • Banner reads
    Banner reads "France must leave" during anti-France protests in Niger (AFP)

On Tuesday, Senators LR Roger Karoutchi, Bruno Retailleau, and Christian Cambon wrote an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron that was signed by 94 parliamentarians from various political backgrounds, calling for a review of France's policy in Africa. 

In the letter published by Le Figaro, the senators state that the idea of being described as nostalgics for Françafrique is an aberration that merely served to conceal France's failures and setbacks in its diplomatic policy in Africa. 

The letter states that the failure of Operation Barkhane was in great part the reason why France and its economic, political, and military presence are now rejected in those countries, namely Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republic.

Wagner PMC has come to replace France's strategic role in peacekeeping operations, the letter states, adding that Russia's success is owed to the assistance they provide to dictators and leaders that hold on to power on the basis that they manipulate the anti-colonial narrative. 

At this point in the reading of the letter, it is important to consider two factors: First, given the immense military capabilities of the French, it is a deductive observation to argue that the failure of Operation Barkhane was intentional. France has never had any intention of truly restoring peace in Africa because doing so would strengthen Africa, and a strong Africa goes against the interests of the French capitalist class. Secondly, the allegation that African "dictators" manipulate the anti-colonial narrative to grab onto power is a subtle way to threaten the popular bases that support these leaders -- that if they do not fall back into submission to France, the peoples of Africa will be faced with consequences. 

Read more: Military intervention in Niger not to be tolerated: Mali, Burkina Faso

The Senators in the letter express their fear that France's role is being further undermined where anti-French sentiments are spreading in countries that are "reputedly close to us," such as the Ivory Coast or Senegal - two of the French empire's longest-occupied former colonies.

Related News

French FM visits African nations to 'renew partnerships'

The letter criticizes Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for being "deceitful" towards the French when one time he appears friendly and the next he evokes the "Great Satan" that is France. This hot and cold approach is pushing many French officials to question the 1968 agreements, "which no longer make any sense," the letter states.

It is worth recalling that France has never asked Algeria for forgiveness over the 1.5 million Algerians who were massacred in the struggle for Algeria's independence. 

"Today, the Françafrique of yesterday has been replaced by military Russafrique, by economic Chinafrica or by diplomatic America. And what about, unfortunately, the regression of the Francophonie in relation to the English language?" the letter asks, pleading for France to be restored to its former colonial glory.

Shifting the blame towards the President, the letter continues: "Mister President, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Senate, and the entire Senate during a debate on French policy in Africa, alerted you in the spring."

"Isn't it time to review our vision of Africa and its link with France?" it asks, "you have had the intention, on several occasions..."

The letter concludes by calling the African continent a "friend" that is no longer understanding of France and is contesting further and further its role and presence in African territories. 

In a final and ambitious tone, the letter ends with: "For our part, we are not resigned to our gradual disappearance from the entire continent."

Read more: Niger junta appoints economist Ali Lamine Zeine as Prime Minister

  • Françafrique
  • Burkina Faso
  • Africa
  • Mali
  • France
  • Niger

Most Read

Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pentagon-chief--nato-likely-to-back-trump-s-5--defence-spend
Politics

Europe spent $3 trillion on defense, but got little in return - FT

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein: Telegraph
Europe

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein - The Telegraph

Eilat port as seen from the sea, occupied Palestine, March 12 2009 (wikimedia commons)
Politics

YAF operations forced 80% plunge in Eilat port revenues in 2024

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges
Europe

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS