How can we prevent the Francafrique Spring?

 “No one is safe from this spring.” But wise men can always repent and commit to a change of mentality. In recent years, Africa, particularly the French-speaking region, has been under the saddle of the Françafrique system, which was born under Charles De Gaulle, the founder of the Fifth Republic, in France, and held sway by Jacques Foccart, the secretary general of the Elysée Palace, in charge of African and Malagasy affairs, from 1960 to 1974.

Loïck Mfumu Loubassa Mossipy is a Journalist, Digital Marketer and politician

Without doubt, in order to maintain French influence in the French-speaking zone of Africa, for fear of reliving an Algeria bis, “De Gaulle acted as a strategist”. That strategy is currently costing French politics in Africa dearly.

 Indeed, in many countries, African youth grind their teeth, not only against France for its support of African leaders less loved by their people, but also against its leaders. 

The main grievances against the system are: rigged elections; overturmoil of opponents; bad governance; misappropriation of public funds placed in tax havens; purchase of luxury real estate in Western countries and so on.

It is these and other grievances that have revived military coups in Africa. In recent years, there have been two coups d’état in Mali and Burkina Faso, one in Guinea-Conakry, Niger, and recently in Gabon, “so far the last on the list, but whose next round? 

Since the contamination of Gabon, Cameroon, Paul Biya has made a minor retouching within the army; in Rwanda, Paul Kagame has sent his generals to retire, including James Kaberebe, one of the pillars of Tutsiland, “an act that will not calm anything,” some observers believe.

One senses the calm and heartbeat of the courtiers in Brazzaville who want, at all costs, to see the current President stay in place, to safeguard their interests. 

Idem in Malabo where the old Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who himself came to power in 1979, in a coup against his uncle’s dictator, Macías Nguema, broke the longevity record in power in the sub-region.

Alas, man’s heart is filled with secrets. 

In the weave, why live in anxiety, if we can escape serenely this spring? History seems to be repeating itself. So what do we do? Leaders must start playing one of the last cards in national dialog to rebuild trust. For today’s generation has nothing to lose. 

The majority of young people have no future to offer their offspring. Faced with unemployment and surviving odd jobs in the informal sector, young people feel left behind. They brood over an anger that can be the bed of adventurers who think it’s their turn. 

A coup plotter in the shadows, who will be blamed if this happens?

This is not about encouraging anything. Rather, it is about analyzing a sociopolitical context in order to make it less susceptible to adventurous ideas about unconstitutional shifts in power. Because no one can predict what will happen tomorrow. 

On the other hand, good governance, social justice and economic development that enables everyone, and especially young people, to earn a decent living are all virtues that protect against these adventures and strengthen respect for institutions.

In our country, where dialog has been institutionalized, it is desirable for it to be a reality for all who wish it. For dialog must not be a night-time contract game between politicians. It must include not only politicians, but also civil society, human rights organizations, the press, religious denominations, trade union movements, etc. 

A humanistic gesture of power towards politicians sentenced to prison would be a great spark of national confidence. To fail to understand this is to risk being on the wrong side of history someday.

Finally, like money, development does not like noise. Central Africa is the key to the development of the African continent, if we refer to the “great political treaties: general act of the Berlin Conference 1885”, where Central Africa in general and the two Congo in particular have been indexed concerning freedom of trade in the Congo Basin.

Therefore, our politicians need to understand that things are happening now and that they need to repent and engage in a change of mentality, to keep the little consideration they have had until now. Our leaders can always save our states, making decisions that reassure and revive trust.

Loïck Mfumu Loubassa Mossipy