With friends like these, who needs bullies?

On his recent African tour, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the age of France’s interference in the continent’s affairs was over. 

The statement, part of Macron’s quest to repair relations with his country’s former colonies, sought to signal the end of the so-called “FranceAfrique” policy, which kept francophone Africa tied to Paris’ political and economic apron strings.

Some have welcomed Macron’s approach, which has included recognising France’s “responsibility” in the Rwandan genocide and the return of cultural artefacts stolen during colonial times. Others will prefer to wait and see, given France’s history with its former colonies.

However, Macron’s statement marks an important admission of France’s less than glorious role on the continent, where it previously sought to keep its former territories under permanent tutelage. Which is a start.

Contrast this with the posture of the US towards the continent, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Washington is considering passing the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act, which would enable it to punish African countries doing business with Russia.

From an African point of view, the real malign activities are those that seek to keep the continent in poverty by looking the other way (and abetting) the theft of billions of dollars from the continent through illicit financial flows by Western companies, often in cahoots with crooked political elites. That and the exploitation of the continent’s mineral resources by the West, including the US and its allies, or by anyone else. We can add to that the sponsoring of sectarian conflicts which have wrecked many an African economy and stunted development.

It is an anachronism that in the new Cold War Africa should be seen as a prize to be won by global powers

It is an anachronism that in the new Cold War, Africa should be seen as a prize to be won by global powers, with its resources as legitimate booty for the West, Russia, China or anyone else, while its countries revert to being client states. 

As Africans we should not agree to again become pawns in conflicts which are not our own — as we did in the last two world wars, with little to show in return.

It is really about Africa being respected and treated as an equal partner in the affairs of the world, rather than a puppet of any of the dominant powers. But it is also about African leaders gaining self-respect and refusing to collaborate in the pillaging of a continent they are supposed to be guardians of. 

Regarding the merits of the Ukrainian case, it is true that most rational and peaceable people are repelled by Russia’s decision to invade or simply annex a neighbour’s territory. It is a route which, if followed by all countries, would make the world a much more dangerous place for everyone.

At the same time, a reversion to a unipolar world order, where everyone dances to America’s tune, must be of concern to Africans, who have emerged from colonialism only in the last six decades or so. Ditto the assumed necessity and right of the US and its Nato allies to expand their sphere of influence and dominance, in Europe or elsewhere.

It does not help that those who are seized with defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion remain mute about the plight of, for instance, Palestinians who are being denied the right to self-determination. Moral consistency does matter.

American lawmaker Michael McCaul, a proponent of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, was among those irked by the failure of many African countries to support a UN resolution condemning Moscow shortly after the invasion. 

He urged US President Joe Biden “to work with our Nato allies and our partners” to assist Ukraine militarily. But, he said, the US “must make every state choose between doing business with the free world or with a war criminal”.

So Nato partners were to be “worked with”, while African states were to be forced to “choose” — whipped into line, disciplined like delinquent children.

On her recent African trip US treasury secretary Janet Yellen warned that America would respond “quickly and harshly” if her hosts did not show “compliance” with US sanctions. 

This harked back to George W Bush’s threat to the international community, in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, that “every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” Meaning American interests became, through economic intimidation and political bullying, the concern of the rest of humanity.

The choice of words betrayed the belittling and condescending attitude of many in the US and the West to us as Africans.

Yet McCaul’s and Yellen’s sentiments would find favour in sections of our commentariat and political class. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they have sought to pressure our government to side with Nato and its allies, and to unequivocally condemn Russia in line with the West. The clamour for South Africa to take an anti-Russian posture was rekindled by the country’s decision to hold joint naval exercises with Russia and China last month.

There have been dark warnings of damage to relations with the US and others, and the dire economic consequences to be suffered. The backlash would, it is to be noted, be coming from countries which, when things go their way, never miss an opportunity to declare their deep friendship with South Africa and the continent.

With friends like these, who needs bullies? Friendships are built on trust and respect for the right of friends to hold a view, even if it diverges from ours.

McCaul, and others like him, seek today to reduce Africans to the status of glorified natives in the colonies, with their purportedly independent countries becoming modern day vassals of their more powerful peers.