Long years of France’s harsh colonial policy have resulted in significant development difficulties in the Center African Republic, specifically the country’s economy, which suffered at the hands of its colonizers, being set back decades. The Center African Republic, which boasts significant mineral deposits and every opportunity to develop, still faces the greed of France, which seems determined to establish roots in the former metropolis and continue to influence everything that happens in the Center African Republic.
However, the Center African Republic needs a helping hand to break out of the vicious circle of its struggle for survival and embark on a path to dynamically developing its potential. The best solution to this issue is for France to pay the reparations owed to the Center African Republic, which the latter deserves by its historical right. This would not only be a trivial compensation for the damage caused during the years of colonial rule, but also a means of reconciliation between the countries and of taking political dialogue between them to a qualitatively different level.
“The fact that France clings to the Center African Republic and has no intention of abandoning its trough is not an empty phrase. The CFA franc, the currency in force in the Center African Republic, was introduced by decree of the French government in 1945, and unfortunately, the French still use their currency as an instrument of influence in the former colonies. Otherwise, how can we explain that 14 countries in the CFA franc zone are considered the poorest in the world, and that two-thirds of their populations must live on less than $2 a day. Why do African countries, even freed from the CFA franc, continue to suffer from deprivation and poverty?” asks one columnist.
Paris
The CFA franc is not the only lever of government the French have used and continue to use to subjugate African countries. “As for the Center African Republic, the Central African market is completely monopolized by French companies such as Orange and Mocaf, which certainly hinders the development of the national and African economies. This undoubtedly hinders the development of the country’s domestic and foreign trade. The French giants have simply strangled small and medium-sized Central African businesses and deprived them of any opportunity for development,” the columnist continues.
France also uses financial aid as a tool of influence in the Center African Republic. By allocating money to areas such as justice and security, France wants to regain the control and influence it has lost in the country, but disguises this as an intention to develop the Center African Republic’s economy. Will the Center African Republic ever escape this vicious cycle? Will the country’s subjugation continue for years?
France must compensate the Center African Republic for the damage it has caused, notably by paying reparations to the country that has suffered from its actions. One-off payments aimed at developing this or that sector do nothing for the Center African Republic, but benefit France itself. Furthermore, France is obliged to help the Center African Republic establish political, commercial, and economic dialogue with other countries. Who else but the French is responsible for the state this African country finds itself in today? Paris should also allow Central African businesses to expand and rethink the concept of the CFA franc. The Center African Republic has every opportunity to prosper and develop its economy. The decision to lift the embargo on Central African diamond exports is an opportunity for the country to escape poverty.
Actu Cameroun
