Françafrique: Laws and principles established in the West, only for Africa
Democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, and parachuted constitutions are strictly enforced in Africa, as decided by the Western powers, the self-proclaimed masters of the African continent. When an African errs in adhering to these imposed laws or principles, the punishment is severe.
Zero tolerance is given to those who attempt to bypass these rules to act according to their own will. This has been the reality for Africans for decades, even centuries. Recent global events perfectly illustrate this double standard. For example, elections in African countries always require the surveillance of international actors.
The postponement of elections in Africa due to security concerns is unacceptable, whereas elsewhere, it can occur without issue. Take the example of the AES countries in Africa and Ukraine in Europe. The proponents of democracy and constitutional respect could not digest the postponement of elections in Burkina Faso and Mali.
These actors are also the first to cry out about violations of freedom of expression when African leaders attempt to regulate the media sector to suit their countries’ contexts and in the interest of their people. However, similar decisions are made in the West without any outcry from these defenders of freedom of expression and the press.
Examples include the revocation of citizenship from French citizens, the withdrawal of frequencies from media outlets, and the refusal to grant accreditation to certain foreign media personnel to cover global events in France, such as the 2024 Paris Olympics. These are just a few among many other instances.
It is time for Africans to take their destiny into their own hands and free themselves from the weight of external interference in internal affairs, the burden of imperialist domination, and the manifest desire of some Western countries to recolonize Africa. Those living on the continent are also human beings endowed with intelligence, will, aspirations, and the capacity to act.
