There was a rather awkward atmosphere in the tightly packed room as French President Emmanuel Macron searched frantically for the right words. And the words he finally chose perhaps made everything even worse. Macron had traveled to Africa to launch France’s new Africa policy. The hope was to be able to start with fairly blank slates. France has long been blamed for never properly letting go of francophone Africa. That they rule behind the scenes, and still exploit Africa’s natural resources for their own gain. “Arrogant” and “neo-colonialist” are words used about France. And this criticism has become extra sharp in recent years. And there are probably good reasons for that. End of “Francafrique” But first more about what happened in the tightly packed room in Kinshasa. For Macron, earlier this month he visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In his briefcase, he therefore had a new French Africa strategy, which aims to get France to take its hands off the wheel, and rather place more emphasis on cooperation in the future. A picture of Senegalese fighting for France during the Second World War is one of many examples of how France used its colonies. Photo: AP But the press conference in the Congo probably did not go quite as Macron had planned. Because on his side was the host, Felix Tshisekedi. And the Congolese president had just carried out an unprecedented diplomatic attack. Tshisekedi had said clearly and clearly that the time is overdue for France, and other European countries, to stop telling Congo what is right and what is wrong. – They say that they are always completely right, and that I am never right, said a clearly irritated Congolese president. An entire press corps witnessed the exchange of words, and many of the Congolese journalists burst into full cheers when their president had his say. Blame on press freedom Emmanuel Macron asked for the floor, and said that this was about Tshisekedi having misunderstood. Because it is the case, said Macron, that when a French journalist comes up with critical questions, it is not necessarily representative of the French state’s view. Macron could not say more before Tshisekedi interrupted and protested loudly. Because his criticism had not been about journalists, but about statements that Macron’s own foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, had made quite recently. Perhaps it just then occurred to Macron that he had done exactly what he had decided to stop doing. He had not listened to Tshisekedi, but rather started by explaining why the Congolese president was wrong. In the Congo, many interpreted it as yet another example of French arrogance. There were smiles and handshakes again in the end, even though the Congolese president made clear criticism directed at his French counterpart. Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP In Europe, the exchange of words in the Congo has received little attention. But the session was quickly spread around the African part of the internet. And what makes it all extra critical for the French president is that the session fits perfectly into the pattern that Russia wants to create. “The white man’s burden” Because there is an information battle going on in Africa, and for Western countries it is a particularly big challenge: Colonial history. The white man has sold Africans as slaves, provided himself roughly with Africa’s gold, rubber and diamonds, and went on to divide Africa between himself, and ruled in almost all African countries for many years. The colonial masters stole art treasures with them, and African raw materials have helped build European wealth. This part of world history creates sensations to this day. Because there is still a difference between black and white. Although few Africans are slaves today, many of them work for slave wages. And the image of overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean does not create a feeling that Europeans and Africans are equal to this day. When Western leaders then come to visit, with aid money in their luggage, and good intentions, for some Africans it becomes too much of a double standard. And this creates good breeding ground for anti-Western propaganda. The image of African migrants arouses debate and strong feelings, both in Europe, but also in Africa. Photo: FETHI BELAID / AFP Old video gains momentum Recently, a video from 2018 has started to circulate online. It shows Germany’s ambassador to Namibia, and the country’s president Hage Geingob. The German diplomat warns the president against tying himself too closely to China. The answer from Namibia’s president is clear: They constantly present the red carpet for Germans, at the same time that Namibians are constantly denied entry to Germany, and check thoroughly at most border controls. So perhaps the German ambassador should first sweep his own door instead of coming to Namibia and talking negatively about China, said the president. It also does not help that Germany has a dark colonial history in Namibia, where at the beginning of the 20th century they carried out a genocide against the Herero people. Not a very well-known chapter in world history. But there are still many who remember the genocide carried out by Germany in Namibia. Photo: CHRISTIAN MANG / Reuters The session with the ambassador and the president is praised in social media, both by Africans, but also by several with Russian-sounding names. At the same time, there are good reasons to ask whether it is completely coincidental that such a video from 2018 suddenly appears at the same time as the West is increasingly confronted with double standards and the dark chapter of colonial history. African pro-Russian demonstrations Something else that seems a little random are the many demonstrations where Africans stand with pro-Russian posters and Russian flags. It started in the Central African Republic, and has later happened in both Mali and Burkina Faso. The Central African Republic supports you, Russia, says one of the posters that was displayed in Bangui at the very beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Photo: CAROL VALADE / AFP And just before Macron came to visit Congo earlier this month, several demonstrators were out in the streets, with Russian flags and anti-French slogans. We cannot know for sure what the motivation behind the demonstrations is, but we do know that in some African countries it is common for people to be paid to participate in election campaign events and demonstrations. And that Russia is happy to pay for this, there is also evidence from before. Homophobia as a common cause The information war naturally also takes place in social media. A hot topic in several African countries right now is the rights of homosexuals. Processes are currently underway that may restrict the rights of homosexuals in both Uganda and Ghana. The theme is perfect for Russia. Russia and most African countries have homophobia in common. In both Africa and Russia, the gay debate is characterized by claims that gay organizations are agents of the West. And on Twitter, Russian embassies in Africa are active in showing where Russia stands in the LGBTQ debate. And the comment section is full of support. Young Congolese men had rallied outside the French embassy in Kinshasa before Macron’s visit. They had Russian flags and a picture of Vladimir Putin with them. Photo: ARSENE MPIANA / AFP Russia is not alone in resorting to propaganda in Africa. Both China and Turkey are among those who have raised the same concerns as Russia. And with colonial history as a trump card, the anti-Western propaganda can at times be quite effective. But. And it is important to mention. Far from everyone jumps on the propaganda. And so far, only the military junta in Mali has made a complete turnaround in its military cooperation and replaced French soldiers with Russian mercenaries. Some Africans understand when they witness Russian propaganda. In the same way that many understand when they witness Western double standards.
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Africa, Western double standards and Russian propaganda – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
