Vol 51 No 15 | FRANCEAFRICA Forgotten promises 23rd July 2010 In 2007, a just-elected President Sarkozy promised to remake France’s Africa policies but strategic political and economic interests still prevail On 14 July, troops from 13 African countries marched down the Champs-Elysées in the annual Bastille Day parade, while elderly sub- Saharan veterans of the French colonial army...
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA The falling euro drags down the CFA franc 9th July 2010 A relic of France’s African economic empire, the CFA zone must cope with the impact of Western Europe’s monetary disarray The continuing crisis of the rich world’s financial system has thrown off balance the main surviving element of France’s African empire, the franc of the Communauté financière d’Afrique....
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA How the CFA Franc zone works 9th July 2010 The initials CFA once stood for the Communauté française d’Afrique, later changing to Communauté financière d’Afrique. The name is a colonial legacy and considerable monetary powers are still...
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA Realpolitik and resignations 9th July 2010 The resignation of Alain Joyandet, secretary of state for cooperation, will reinforce the grip of the Elysée Palace on France’s Africa policy. Joyandet, who was forced out after...
Vol 51 No 5 | RWANDAFRANCE Rapprochement and opportunity 5th March 2010 The meeting between Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Paul Kagame in Kigali on 26 February enables France to regain a foothold in central Africa and allows Rwanda to normalise...