More Fallout From the War in Ukraine — Putting French Imperialism in its Place

 

As the Russian military operation grinds on in Ukraine, Russia and China have joined forces to confront the legacy of Western imperialism in Africa and Asia. The war in Ukraine may have begun as an attempt by Russia to secure its border against NATO’s encroachment in Ukraine, but it has now escalated and expanded into a deliberate policy, led by Russia and China, to establish a new multi-polar world that is not beholden to the dictates of Washington, London and Paris. This involves more than just pursuing stronger diplomatic ties with the so-called Third World, it also includes creating alternative financial systems that will permit trade and commerce without having to worry about sanction-crazy Americans.

French President Macron just completed a swing through former African colonies and failed to shore-up France’s standing as a relevant power behind the curtain. But the Western press is loathed to report on the true depth of the growing fissure between France and its former colonies. Take a gander at what happened during Macron’s visit to the Congo.

Here is a snippet from Reuters coverage of Macron’s visit:

French President Emmanuel Macron shared his vision of a renewed partnership with Africa in which it stands equal with France, as he concluded a tour where he has sought to dispel France’s image as an arrogant former colonial power while bidding for future influence.

The French president held talks on Saturday with President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which last week saw several small-scale protests — signs of rising anti-French sentiment in parts of francophone Africa. . . .

This tour is Macron’s 18th visit to Africa as president and follows a recent slew of Africa tours by high-level US, Russian, and Chinese officials seeking closer ties.

France has endured a recent messy breakdown in relations with some former colonies in West Africa and his first-time visits to the DRC, Gabon, Angola and Congo Republic last week reflect Macron’s wish to turn the page.

(Congo’s President) Tshisekedi welcomed the new approach and said France needed to listen to what African people wanted if it hoped to compete with the continent’s other partners.

“Francafrique is a thing of the past,” he said, referring to the murky links that sometimes saw Paris prioritise commercial gain and support for autocratic regimes in former colonies.

Nevertheless, signs of tension emerged later in the press conference when Macron appeared to suggest the insecurity in the DRC since 1994 was mostly its own fault.

If you only read the Reuter’s account you would likely conclude that Macron’s visit was a success, despite some “tensions.”

Then I saw the following video. Congo President Félix Tshisekedi had what diplomats call a “frank exchange of views” with French President Macron. In street lingo this is known as getting “bitch slapped.” Pay close attention to Macron’s body language. He is not used to being talked to this way by some “African low life”:

Macron was trying to counter the success that Russian and Chinese diplomats enjoyed during their recent visits and, by his words and conduct, reinforced the belief of many African leaders that France and the West still view them as a bunch of black savages who need an enlightened care taker.

I think we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Western success in its ability to rape the resources of impoverished nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo. What do you think?