FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY VISITS DAKAR, LECTURES AFRICAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001655 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL AND INR/AA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON KISL SG SUBJECT: FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY VISITS DAKAR, LECTURES AFRICAN YOUTH SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On July 26-27, French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Senegal as the first stop on his mission to some of France's former African colonies. With the stated goal of heralding a new era in Franco-African relationships, he delivered a major speech on his African policy at a Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University. In his usual provocative style, he pointed out that Africa's "tragedy" is that "it has not been enough a part of history" and Africans "should stop repeating endlessly the same words and gestures" and "become conscious that the Golden Age they are regretting will not come back because it has never existed." Though Sarkozy cited the "negative aspects" of colonization and the slave trade as "a crime against humanity," he urged African youth to stop blaming France and its colonial past and to recognize the responsibility of Africans themselves for Africa's failures. During his visit to Senegal, Sarkozy also offered new economic development assistance. END SUMMARY. A DESIRE TO PROVOKE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As part of his July 26-27 visit to Senegal, many Senegalese intellectuals expected French President Sarkozy's key address at Dakar University to offer words, and perhaps financial pledges, of support to an institution suffering from overcrowding and acute budgetary problems. Surprisingly, after acknowledging France's mistakes in its past relationships with Africa, Sarkozy lectured Africans and urged them to take full responsibility for the continent's failures. France, in his view, could not be held responsible for "the dictatorships, the corruption, the fanaticism, and bloody wars that Africans wage against each other." He further urged Africans to avoid "self-hate" and the pitfall of rejecting their "heritage" from Europe which is an important part of their own history. He encouraged the establishment of a new partnership, "Eurafrica," to address the effects of globalization and boost economic development between Europe and Africa. MIXED REACTIONS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The media considered Sarkozy's speech paternalistic and old-fashioned. Two weeks after the speech was delivered, editorials and opinions are still common in the local media condemning the French President's attitude towards Africa. One student told Embassy political staff, "Sarkozy has no respect for Africans, previous French presidents at least made the effort of using diplomatic hypocrisy . . . with Sarkozy, France shows that it does not count on us; we have to draw our own conclusions." One student association leader noted that the speech led to heated debate on campus, indicating that it was at first rejected by all, but a few days later, students were divided into two camps - those who considered that Sarkozy had "insulted Africans," and those who think "he was just telling the truth." This student noted that the speech is a starting point and it is time for Africans to "meet the challenge." Some editorial writers have also used Sarkozy's address to highlight the need for Senegal, especially the country's political leaders and intellectuals, to distance itself from France's political and cultural influence. TOUGH TALK BUT MORE OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On July 27, during a cabinet meeting, President Wade, drawing from the main points of Sarkozy's visit, thanked the French President for his committed support to "accompany" Senegal in its efforts to develop a civil nuclear program. Wade noted that the two countries agreed to "promote and protect investment reciprocally." Sarkozy reportedly promised seven million euros for programs to help rural communities in the Senegal River Valley, 1.8 million euros for drinking water and sanitation, and new financing to the Senegalese Water Company (SONES) jointly with the European Investment Bank and the West African Development Bank. President Wade promised Sarkozy that he would repatriate all Senegalese that are currently living illegally in France. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) If Sarkozy was hoping to inspire Senegalese to keep France in their hearts as a key partner and cultural reference, he seems to have fallen short of his objective. The speech at the university generated a very subdued initial response, and a mostly critical post facto public analysis. The debate about colonization and slavery is no longer topical for many young Africans who are more focused on how to achieve good governance and be a winner in globalization. African youth who are obsessed by a desire to leave the continent by any means probably did not hear Sarkozy. Many Senegalese commentators believe that Sarkozy does not know Africa and suspect he is seeking to unilaterally impose a new form of "partnership" on them. His speech may well contribute to widening the gap between France and African intellectuals who no longer consider France to be a model, and which, according to one DAKAR 00001655 002 OF 002 commentator, "has only useless lessons to offer." The deliverables and pledges that accompanied the visit will also likely not stem the current trend in Senegal that places an increasing importance on economic ties to and development assistance from Gulf countries and China, largely at the expense of French commercial and political interests. ¶6. (SBU) At the same time, the merit of Sarkozy's message, for some intellectuals, is that it raised real issues about Africa's economic underdevelopment and pushes Africans to think about the solutions. It also remains to be seen if this speech will be translated into new French policies that would actually increase the pressure on African leaders to promote good governance and encourage the youth of the continent to demand more accountability from their political leaders. End Comment. SMITH