We stand with Kenyans: Together Against France’s Imperialist Encroachment.
In Nairobi, Kenya, a cooperation summit between Africa and France is currently taking place. Branded as “Africa Forward”, it is not common for such a summit to be held outside a country that isn’t Francophone.
Its convening in Kenya signals a shift in the nature of relations between France and its former colonies, particularly in the Sahel region, where France’s influence has dwarfed to the choking and so shocking levels.
What is deeply troubling is that Kenyan security forces, in a country that prides itself on being democratic, have suppressed demonstrations by Kenyan citizens opposing the summit, citing the long historical record of exploitative relations between France and its former colonies.
These Kenyans have made it clear that they will not allow Kenya to become a safe haven for France to continue its paternalistic policies in Africa, and that France’s defeat in the Sahel, it should mean a one way trip to Paris rather than resettlement to Kenya or elsewhere in the African continent.
We are in solidarity with all Kenyans of that thought, especially social movements, socialist and communist political parties, and representatives of progressive organizations who have taken up the responsibility of resisting France’s deceptive agenda aimed at entrenching imperial domination in East Africa.
Promises made by President Emmanuel Macron, particularly investment pledges estimated at more than 20 billion US dollars, are a continuation of a long-standing pattern of priorities that neither indicate nor genuinely aim to advance the liberation of the majority of people on our continent.
What is happening today in many former French colonies in Africa is a clear example of the consequences of “French investment,” which is centered on protecting French corporations that extract and plunder African resources, while at the same time supporting dictatorial leaders who enable such exploitation.
We therefore, strongly condemn France’s imperialist agenda toward Africa.
We also condemn and criticize African rulers for their complicity, and by doing little or nothing to confront France’s sinister agenda on the continent.
We commend the Kenyan people and citizens of other nations who have risen up against this imperialist project cooked in Nairobi.
We further salute our brothers and sisters in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, who continue to standing up against imperialist schemes and provocations, including terrorism linked to foreign interests.
We call upon Africans across the continent to continue confronting these imperialist machinations and to build solidarity aimed at genuine liberation, rather than kneeling in search of aid and programs whose ultimate effect is to enrich a few while impoverishing the majority.
We demand that Kenyan security authorities immediately and unconditionally release all demonstrators detained for opposing these schemes and policies associated with French influence in Africa.
