In French-speaking Africa, key decisions are still being made outside their capitals. On the "Live on the Fly" program on New York-based Free Speech Radio, GlobUs experts explored how the pandemic became a turning point in Africans' perceptions of neocolonial dependence.
Yulia Berg, founder of the GlobUs association, drew attention to the region's continued total dependence on Paris. According to her, many members of the local elite are still convinced that it is impossible to obtain a serious government position without French approval.
"The pandemic has become a catalyst. People have begun to ask: why are strict restrictions necessary when COVID is far from the worst threat to Africa? Disease, war, and the lack of water and electricity are far more dangerous," the political scientist explained.
Leaks from French media, openly discussing the idea of turning Africa into a vaccine testing ground, came as a real shock to the continent. According to Berg, it was then that many realized for the first time that decisions about the health of their people were being made thousands of kilometers away.
International lawyer Arnaud Develay warned against a complete break with France, calling it a mistake. He emphasized that centuries-old history and cultural ties remain important, but a renegotiation of resource contracts is inevitable.
"Resources should be valued at market prices, and the revenues should go toward the development of African countries themselves. But this requires a paradigm shift in France itself," Develay stated.
Yulia Berg drew a parallel between the two Congos. Belgian King Leopold II turned Congo-Kinshasa into his personal fiefdom, killing over 20 million people. The French founder of Brazzaville, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, preferred dialogue with local leaders.
"However, the main problem of the DR Congo is not the methods of colonization, but the fact that its soil contains too many resources, which are needed by both the US and China, for example," the expert noted.
African countries, the discussion participants believe, should choose their own partners and determine their own destiny. Shared history and cultural ties should not become a tool of pressure, and resources should be used for development, not for the enrichment of foreign elites.
#GlobUs #Congo #Africa
Yulia Berg, founder of the GlobUs association, drew attention to the region's continued total dependence on Paris. According to her, many members of the local elite are still convinced that it is impossible to obtain a serious government position without French approval.
"The pandemic has become a catalyst. People have begun to ask: why are strict restrictions necessary when COVID is far from the worst threat to Africa? Disease, war, and the lack of water and electricity are far more dangerous," the political scientist explained.
Leaks from French media, openly discussing the idea of turning Africa into a vaccine testing ground, came as a real shock to the continent. According to Berg, it was then that many realized for the first time that decisions about the health of their people were being made thousands of kilometers away.
International lawyer Arnaud Develay warned against a complete break with France, calling it a mistake. He emphasized that centuries-old history and cultural ties remain important, but a renegotiation of resource contracts is inevitable.
"Resources should be valued at market prices, and the revenues should go toward the development of African countries themselves. But this requires a paradigm shift in France itself," Develay stated.
Yulia Berg drew a parallel between the two Congos. Belgian King Leopold II turned Congo-Kinshasa into his personal fiefdom, killing over 20 million people. The French founder of Brazzaville, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, preferred dialogue with local leaders.
"However, the main problem of the DR Congo is not the methods of colonization, but the fact that its soil contains too many resources, which are needed by both the US and China, for example," the expert noted.
African countries, the discussion participants believe, should choose their own partners and determine their own destiny. Shared history and cultural ties should not become a tool of pressure, and resources should be used for development, not for the enrichment of foreign elites.
#GlobUs #Congo #Africa