France and Africa

France's new president, Sarkozy, made a visit to Africa and a speech in Senegal about his country's new policies in regards to Africa, "acknowledging colonialism's ills and calling for democracy, liberty, justice and law, to a mixed reception".

Here is the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/07/27/france.afrique.reut/index.html

As I understand it from the article, France had previously supported Chad's president Hissene Habre, who is now being charged with political torture and killings, but now France has
changed its stance on this matter. They are also supportive of a bigger role for
Africa in the U.N Security council. However many people in Africa are skeptical
of France's new policies.

"France has always been at the side of dirty dictators who have brought Africa
to its knees, who have stolen its riches and humiliated its peoples. Will France
stop that?" said a university student.

"You'd think he was here to teach schoolchildren. We already know all that. What
we want is development plans ... and access to Europe for Africans," said
science student Fallou Fall, 20."

Many Senegalese criticize Sarkozy's immigration policies, which are based on who has certain skills and qualifications. Apparently many Senegalese have made the dangerous boat crossing to the Canary Islands, in search of work in Europe. Most who are found are put on a plane and sent back home. This reminds me a lot of the U.S. immigration policies in regard to our southern neighbors.

Sarkozy says he wants an immigration policy that would welcome Africans to France, but at the same time he encourages immigrants to take their skills and qualifications and return back home to put them to good use. I would have to agree to a certain extent with this, because people are one of the greatest resources a country has, and if all their well-educated people leave and never come back, then once again it is as though Europe is exploiting Africa's resources.

I think it is a wonderful thing when people can come to Europe or America and obtain a good education, which may not be available in their home country, but I think it is important for those people to make good use of their skills to help their home country, their original community. I think of Ghandi, who went to Britain for an education, and of course returned home and led his people in a peaceful independence movement. Although he understood and was educated in a Western environment, he still maintained strong ties to his own culture and used what he learned in the West for their benefit.

I think that what some Senegalese are saying is "too little too late" about France's newfound idealism in its policies. They are wondering if it is just more political talk that will really not change anything, or if France is really overturning a new leaf. It reminds me a lot of the U.S.'s foreign policy, where at a whim and for our own benefits (economically mostly), we support one dictator, and then decide to be against him. France supported Chad's president, and now they do not.

I thought it was interesting that the science student said they wanted development plans, and access to Europe. I wonder what his definition of development is? Obviously there is a desire for access to Europe, America, and other developed countries among the rest of the world. But do they need France to help them with a development plan, or should they create one for themselves?