Faith Nyasuguta
Robert Bourgi, often referred to as “Mr. Africa,” has unveiled a trove of secrets about the financial ties between France and its former African colonies. His revelations, detailed in his memoirs, shed light on the intricate and often clandestine relationships that have shaped French and African politics for decades.
Born in Senegal in 1945 to Lebanese Shiite parents, Bourgi became a key figure in the political landscape of both continents. He was a confidant to numerous African leaders, including Omar Bongo of Gabon, Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, and Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso. In France, he succeeded Jacques Foccart, the Gaullist who orchestrated the post-colonial Francafrique system, a network of influence and protection that included markets, materials, and money.
Bourgi’s story begins in the early post-World War Two years when Africa and its former French colonies became a significant source of financing for all French political parties. This practice continued into the 1980s when Bourgi entered the scene. He recounts how, during election periods, he would deliver messages to various African capitals on behalf of French politicians. “The African heads of state would then send emissaries to my office in Paris with large sums of money, often amounting to several million francs or dollars,” Bourgi reveals.
One of the most vivid anecdotes from Bourgi’s memoirs involves a meeting in January 1998 with Gabonese President Omar Bongo. Bourgi was in Libreville to collect funds for the upcoming French presidential election on behalf of Jacques Chirac, the centre-right Gaullist candidate and then-mayor of Paris.
In a twist of fate, Roland Dumas, former French foreign minister and right-hand man of Socialist President Francois Mitterrand, Chirac’s arch-rival, was also there for the same purpose. Dumas, asserting his seniority, went into Bongo’s office first and emerged shortly after, reassuring Bourgi that there was still money left for him.
Bourgi’s memoirs are filled with such stories, illustrating the mutual dependence and money-grabbing that characterized French and African politics for so long. He claims that in the 1995 and 2002 French presidential elections, both won by Chirac, around $10 million was provided by African leaders. In one instance during the 2002 election, a representative of Burkinabe leader Blaise Compaore arrived in Paris with a large sum of money hidden in djembe drums. Bourgi accompanied the envoy to the Elysee Palace, where they were greeted by Chirac.
These revelations highlight the deep-rooted and often murky financial connections between France and its former colonies. Bourgi’s role as a middleman in these transactions shows the complex web of relationships that have influenced political decisions and elections in both regions. His accounts provide a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dealings that have long been suspected but rarely confirmed.
Bourgi’s disclosures come at a time when the legacy of Francafrique is increasingly scrutinized. The term Francafrique refers to the shadowy network of political, economic, and military ties between France and its former African colonies. Critics argue that this system has perpetuated corruption and hindered democratic development in Africa, while proponents claim it has provided stability and economic benefits.
In his memoirs, Bourgi does not shy away from the controversial nature of his work. He acknowledges the ethical dilemmas and the often-questionable practices that were part of his role. “Yes, there were ethical dilemmas, but these relationships were crucial for maintaining France’s influence in Africa and securing political support at home,” he admits.
However, he also emphasizes the importance of these relationships in maintaining France’s influence in Africa and securing political support at home.
Bourgi’s revelations are a testament to the enduring ties between France and Africa. They offer a fascinating and informative look into the world of political finance and the intricate dance of diplomacy and money that has shaped the destinies of nations
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