Political activist Timi Frank, a former deputy national publicity secretary of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress, has called on African leaders to abandon renewed ties with France and instead deepen strategic cooperation with the United States. Frank made this appeal in a statement issued from Nairobi, where French President Emmanuel Macron and several African heads of state, including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were convening for the Africa-France “Africa Forward” summit.
In his statement, Frank argued that decades of Franco-African engagement have resulted in minimal development, despite the continent’s abundant natural and human resources. He cautioned that any new arrangements with Paris could lead African nations back into “economic and political bondage.” Referring to the recent military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Frank asserted that these events have highlighted what he described as France’s exploitative relationship with its former colonies. He stated, “Since the takeovers, Africans have seen clearly that France was only using the people and their resources without giving anything meaningful in return.”
Frank, who also serves as an ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, urged African governments to pivot toward the United States. He emphasized the importance of security, election integrity, trade, and investment as key areas for strengthening the U.S.-Africa partnership. “We believe Africa will get a better deal with the United States than with France,” he remarked, adding that African leaders should renegotiate terms of engagement to ensure tangible benefits for their citizens.
The former APC spokesman characterized France’s longstanding influence in parts of Africa as “modern slavery,” accusing Paris of supporting leaders who prioritize French interests over the will of the people. He cited Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, and Cameroon as examples of states still under French “stranglehold.” In contrast, he pointed to Burkina Faso as a case where distancing from France has coincided with positive developments, suggesting that the continent can thrive without reliance on Paris.
Frank advocated for an Africa-U.S. summit, arguing that such a forum would be more beneficial than renewed France-Africa dialogues. He expressed optimism that a future U.S. administration, particularly under former President Donald Trump, could foster a partnership based on mutual interests and democratic values.
Frank’s remarks come at a time when France is seeking to revitalize its ties with African partners through the Nairobi summit, while U.S. officials have indicated a growing interest in expanding cooperation on security and economic issues. This ongoing debate over the continent’s external partnerships highlights a reassessment of post-colonial relationships and the strategic choices African leaders must navigate in their pursuit of development and sovereignty.
