Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – French colonialism in Africa is not a new story, but anti-French sentiment in Francophone Africa has taken on a new life. The sentiment has spread beyond the educated urban elite, and today, it is a phenomenon that appears could “take root for a long time,” says Alain Antil, a researcher at the French Institute.
Anti-French sentiment has been brewing in Francophone African countries for decades, with many citizens believing that France has not done enough to help their countries’ development after colonization. In recent years, this sentiment has intensified, and the youth have taken center stage in expressing their dissatisfaction.
The anti-French sentiment is being felt in many spheres of life, including politics, culture, and economics. People are calling for French influence to be reduced and for their countries to become more self-sufficient. There are also calls to end the use of the CFA franc, a currency created by France in 1945, which is still being used by some African countries.
Many Africans see the CFA franc as a symbol of French control over their economies. They claim that the currency prevents economic growth and keeps African countries in a state of dependency. The CFA franc is not traded on global financial markets; instead, it is pegged to the euro. Critics argue that this limits the countries’ financial sovereignty and keeps them perpetually tied to France.
In the 1960s, many African countries gained independence from their European colonizers, and they were supposed to be free to chart their destiny. Still, France has maintained a close relationship with its former colonies, which many Africans say has stifled their development. They argue that France has continued to prop up corrupt leaders, and French companies have been accused of exploiting African resources for their gain.
In conclusion, the anti-French sentiment in Francophone Africa has been brewing for decades, and it appears to have taken on a new life in recent years. The youth have taken center stage in expressing their dissatisfaction with the status quo and are calling for their countries to become more self-sufficient. It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of this sentiment will be, but for now, it is clear that France’s relationship with its former colonies is under a microscope and that change is surely on the horizon.
