How France Keeps Its African Colonies Poor in Perpetuity
Abdulkarim Ali
Date: 08/30/2023
Location: Cell 23, Kondengui Prison, Yaounde, LRC.
In 1958, Sékou Touré of Guinea declared, “We prefer freedom in poverty to opulence in slavery.” Sixty-five years later, the children of Africa resonate with this sentiment as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger lead the African revolution. Independence, as a concept, cannot mean winning “freedom” while remaining dependent. Astonishingly, this is what France offered its colonies when colonialism became unsustainable in the second half of the 20th century. As a young student of Economics, History, and Geography in the 1990s, it was clear that French Equatorial, Central, and West Africa were in a state of politico-economic stagnation. Any keen observer could conclude, then and now, that France depends on Africa for its economic survival.
This is evident in the words of former French Presidents, including Jacques Chirac, who declared in March 2008, “Without Africa, France will slide down into the rank of a third-world power.” Before him, François Mitterrand had anticipated in 1957, “Without Africa, France will have no history in the 21st century.” Most recently, President Macron has been noted for doing all in his power to maintain France’s economic foothold, especially in West Africa.
In July 2022, Macron visited Cameroon and the Benin Republic shortly after his re-election as President of France, with the principal objective of fostering trade and development projects between France and its African colonies. On December 21, 2019, Macron and President Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire announced the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Macron further announced that the eight West African states would no longer deposit their bank reserves with France and that a French officer would no longer be the head of finance in these countries’ banks. This announcement was an amendment to one of the most evil things the world had seen in contemporary history: The Pact for the Continuation of Colonization. Credit is due to patriots like Dr. Arikana Chihombori and Professor PLO-Lumumba for bringing this ungodly Pact to the knowledge of the African masses and the world.
The Pact for the Continuation of Colonization
This is the designation of the agreement between France and eleven African countries, with the primary goal of maintaining French dominion in Africa. It was established on April 9, 1944, but became effective on December 19, 1947. Fourteen countries were forced to sign this deplorable
agreement or face pauperization and inhumane treatment from France. African heads of governments who resisted this Pact were either assassinated or removed from office via coups.
The 14 countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. It is worth mentioning that upon signing the Pact on its independence, “Cameroon” did not include the “British Southern Cameroons,” which Cameroon is occupying by force, with the complicity of France and the hypocrisy of Britain and the United Nations.
This Pact, which has held these countries hostage for over 50 years, was constituted by 11 components. African leaders have largely been accused of corruption and lack of empathy for their people, but understanding the evil nature of this Pact provides an explanation for this impropriety. It is simple: they are afraid of being killed or facing a coup. Most assuredly, African leaders would work in the interest of their people if they were not constantly stalked and bullied by colonial countries.
Terrified of the consequences of choosing real independence from France, Leopold Sedar Senghor declared in 1958 that Senegal would be “independent in friendship and not in dispute with France.” Since then, France has only accepted “independence on paper” for its colonies. France went on to sign “cooperation accords,” outlining the nature of its relations with the supposedly independent countries. Areas of special interest for France were currency, educational system, military construct, military ties, and commercial preferences.
The Pact for the Continuation of Colonization is such an evil system that even the European Union has denounced it. Still, France is not ready to move away from that colonial system, which has funneled about 500 billion dollars from Africa to its Treasury for over 50 years. Thank God, the children of Africa have risen and will not fall again. Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Burkina Faso are the new beacons of hope for Africa in general.
The 11 Elements of the Pact for the Continuation of Colonization (Including My Commentaries)
1. Colonial Debt for the Benefits of French Colonization
The saying goes, “Civilization began in Africa.” However, France contends that it brought civilization and development to these countries. As a result, the newly “independent” nations were compelled to pay France for what is essentially the exploitation of Africa.
2. Automatic Confiscation of National Reserves
The nations in question are obligated to deposit their national monetary reserves into the French Central Bank. France has been holding the national reserves of fourteen African countries since 1961. Dr. Gary K. Busch provides the following analysis: “The monetary policy governing such a diverse group of countries is straightforward because it is, in fact, operated by the French Treasury, without any reference to the central fiscal authorities of any of the WAEMU or CEMAC countries. Under the terms of the agreement establishing these banks and the CFA, each African country’s Central Bank is required to keep at least 65% of its foreign exchange reserves in an ‘operations account’ held at the French Treasury, along with another 20% to cover financial liabilities. The CFA central banks also impose a cap on credit extended to each member country, equivalent to 20% of that country’s public revenue from the preceding year. Although the BEAC and the BCEAO have overdraft facilities with the French Treasury, drawdowns on those facilities require the consent of the French Treasury. In essence, the French Treasury has the final say and has invested the foreign reserves of these African countries in its own name on the Paris Bourse.
In summary, more than 80% of the foreign reserves of these African countries are deposited in ‘operations accounts’ controlled by the French Treasury. While the two CFA banks are African in name, they have no independent monetary policies. The countries themselves are not informed, nor are they told, how much of the pool of foreign reserves held by the French Treasury belongs to them, either as a group or individually. The earnings from the investment of these funds in the French Treasury pool are supposed to be added back to the pool, but no accounting details are provided to either the banks or the countries. A select group of high-ranking officials in the French Treasury, who are privy to the amounts in the operations accounts,’ where these funds are invested, and whether there is a profit on these investments, are prohibited from disclosing any of this information to the CFA banks or the central banks of the African states.”
As of 2020, it was estimated that France is holding close to $500 billion of African countries’ money in its Treasury. France would go to great lengths to silence anyone or any group that dares to stop or expose this dark aspect of its waning empire. How can a country thrive without access to its own money? France allows these nations to access only 15% of their money in any given year. If they need more than that, they have to borrow the extra funds from their own 65% reserve in the French Treasury, and that too at commercial rates. The cap is fixed at 20% of their public revenue from the preceding year, should the country desire to borrow more.
3. Right of First Refusal on Any Raw or Natural Resource Discovered in the Country
France reserves the primary right to purchase any natural resources found in its former colonies. The African nations that own these resources can seek new partners only if France explicitly states, “I am not interested.”
4. Priority to French Interests and Companies in Public Procurement and Public Bidding
In the awarding of government contracts, French companies must be considered first. Only after that can these countries look for other options. This priority is maintained regardless of whether the African countries could obtain better value for money elsewhere. As a result, in many of France’s former colonies, the major economic assets are controlled by French expatriates. In countries like Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, for example, French companies own and control all the major utilities—water, electricity, telephone, transport, ports, and major banks. The same holds true in sectors like commerce, construction, and agriculture. Bollore is a prime example of such a company operating in Cameroon.
5. Exclusive Right to Supply Military Equipment and Train the Country’s Military Officers
Through a complex arrangement of scholarships, grants, and “Defense Agreements” linked to the Colonial Pact, African countries are obligated to send their senior military officers for training in France or in French-run training facilities. In Cameroon, for example, the army, gendarmerie, and police all report either directly or indirectly to France. Even the BIR (special operations unit) is managed by the French, although it is trained by Israel. The current situation on the continent is that France has trained hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals who are loyal to French interests. These individuals remain dormant when not needed but are activated for specific tasks such as coups, suppressing political dissent, or pursuing annexationist agendas. A case in point is Cameroon’s actions against Southern Cameroons. As of the time I am writing this article, the government of Cameroon has deployed over 10,000 heavily armed soldiers into the territory of Southern Cameroons. These soldiers have razed more than 1,000 homes, killed over 20,000 Southern Cameroonians, displaced over 1,000,000 people, and incarcerated over 1,500 men and women. All of this is part of an effort to subjugate the population and gain control over their land and resources.
6. Right for France to Pre-Deploy Troops and Intervene Militarily in the Country to Defend Its Interests
Under the cover of a document called “Defense Agreements,” which is attached to the Colonial Pact, France has the legal right to intervene militarily in African countries and to station troops permanently in bases and military facilities within those nations. As a result, the military operations of these countries are effectively overseen by France on-site.
When President Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d’Ivoire attempted to end French exploitation in his country, France orchestrated a coup. During the prolonged effort to remove Gbagbo from power,
French tanks, helicopter gunships, and Special Forces directly intervened in the conflict, firing upon civilians and causing numerous casualties.
Adding insult to injury, France claimed that the French business community had lost several million dollars during the unrest. In a particularly egregious act in Abidjan in 2006, the French Army massacred 65 unarmed civilians and wounded 1,200 others. After successfully executing the coup and transferring power to Alassane Ouattara, France demanded that the Ouattara government pay compensation to the French business community for losses incurred during the civil war.
7. Obligation to Make French the Official Language of the Country and the Language for Education
“Oui, Monsieur. Vous devez parler français, la langue de Molière!”
A French language and culture dissemination organization called “Francophonie” has been established, complete with several satellite and affiliate organizations supervised by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. Despite being a language with limited utility in both technology and academia, French is imposed as the official language. This raises the question: How can a people be subjected to such a horrendous choice that leads to their own degradation?
8. Obligation to Use France’s Colonial Currency, FCFA
African countries are not allowed to print their own currency; France names and prints money for them. When the first President of Togo, Sylvanus Olympio, saw his country’s economy deteriorating, he decided to withdraw from the French colonial currency community. On January 13, 1963, just three days after he began printing his country’s own currency, he was assassinated by a squad of illiterate soldiers backed by France. The hitman, an ex-French Foreign Legionnaire army sergeant named Etienne Gnassingbé, was reportedly rewarded with $612 from the local French embassy for the job.
Similarly, on June 30, 1962, Modibo Keita, the first president of the Republic of Mali, decided to withdraw from the FCFA. Six years later, he too fell victim to a coup led by another ex-French Foreign Legionnaire, Lieutenant Moussa Traoré. During the introduction of the Euro in Europe, other European countries discovered France’s exploitative scheme. Many, especially the Nordic countries, were flabbergasted and suggested that France abandon the system, but to no avail.
9. Obligation to Send France Annual Balance and Reserve Report
Failure to submit this report results in financial penalties: no money will be disbursed.
10. Renunciation of Entering into Military Alliances with Any Other Country Unless Authorized by France
France forbids these countries from seeking any military alliances other than the one offered by France itself.
11. Obligation to Ally with France in Situations of War or Global Crisis
France recognizes the military strength of Africans, especially after witnessing their contributions in the hundreds of thousands during the Second World War. France understands that Africans could be useful in fighting for “la Grandeur de la France” in the future.
Conclusion
While it’s true that many so-called post-colonial African leaders have failed to defend the interests of their people, it’s somewhat understandable why even the well-intentioned few have struggled to bring about significant progress. How can a leader foster development when he lacks access to his own country’s finances, has limited control over the military, is denied authority over natural resources, and is prevented from printing his own currency?
For decades, Pan-Africanists have been asking, “Until when?” Enough is enough—both for France and for all colonial powers that have destabilized and exploited Africa. From the era of slavery to the scramble for and colonization of Africa, the continent has been subjected to the survival-of-the-fittest tactics of European powers vying for its resources. Among these, France has been particularly successful in impoverishing Africa through the schemes outlined above. These policies have fostered a class of enablers who perpetuate suffering within Africa, inflicted by Africans upon Africans. Ali Bongo, the President of Gabon is seeking for help as I write this article, today August 30, 2023. He cries to the world, in English language; “make noise, make noise” The revolution may have extended to Central Africa. It is however, early to determine whether the coup is French or Gabonese driven and motivated. Whatever the case may be, Africa wakes to a new dawn of brutal reality. It is up to Africans to reject colonialism, especially from France.
Ironically, France champions the causes of human rights, liberalism, and democracy. How can the architects of such an abominable arrangement as “the pact for the continuation of colonization” be mentioned in the same breath as peace, human rights, or democracy? However, a new day has dawned. Under the leadership of figures like Colonel Assimi Goita, Officer Mamady Doumbouya, Captain Ibrahim Traore, and General Abdourahmane Tchiani, revolutions have begun in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Unlike the more than 61 coups that have occurred in the past 50 years, these four movements are led by the military of the African states and are broadly supported by their people. We now know what the world Knows.
