France awkwardly probes its best African friends

Posted By Elizabeth Dickinson Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 3:21 PM Share

Nothing says "let's be friends!" quite like opening up a corruption case against your buddy in Magistrate Court. Right?

A French court approved a probe yesterday into the assets and dealings of three African presidents, who are, rather awkwardly, some of the country's best allies on the continent. Omar Bongo of Gabon, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo Republic, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea will face scrutiny for charges brought by the French branch of Transparency International. The leaders are accused of embezzling funds from their impoverished countries for luxury homes and cars. Politics considerations are urged to be left aside.

While perhaps embarrassing for the African presidents, I imagine this investigation should be even more scandalous for France -- and not just because France has commercial ties in each of the accused presidents' countries. France surely knows that its property market boasts owners among Africa's elite (and, in these cases, corrupt); it has been that way since colonial days. That it has taken so long to "notice" this trend is not likely a matter of innocent oversight. And in terms of the this friendship, the truth does indeed hurt.

PATRICK KOVARIK/ ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:AFRICA, FRANCE

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MONJATONIO

4:41 PM ET

May 7, 2009

Relationships between France and its former colonies

Thank you very much for commenting on this issue. I have always been stricken by the silence of English-speaking commentators and journalists on the economic and political ties between France and its former colonies. I would like to see Foreign Policy magazine commenting more on issues related to former French colonies in Africa and their relationships with France. I would like to know also if American journalists are aware of François-Xavier Verschave and its work: http://survie.org/Francafrique-in-brief.html

LINDA.COULT

6:45 AM ET

June 4, 2009

France with African Colonies

France is also busy trying to develop ties with my country Somaliland but it’s one that is not popular with almost all the Somalilanders because we have seen what France has done to many African states and we will do our best to stay away from French products and France as whole, they are racist, stubborn and always comparing themselves to the English. My country traditionally had ties with England, and England never gave us any problems, right now however England has betrayed us because it will not move ahead with the recognition we demanding, instead saying its African Union’s job.

That’s why we leaning towards France and Sarkosy, they becoming more active than the English, dedicated hosting but once we get our recognition bye bye France.

I dont think Africans like stubborn French, dont even understand why so many Africans in France.

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