For the Beninese journalist Francis Laloupo, “we entered the countertop cycle”.
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The euphoria that accompanied democratic transitions in Africa lived. Bad governance, economic crises, military and constitutional coups undermine the fragile political buildings born thirty years ago in the wake of national conferences. On the continent as in the West, the populism thrive.
But, noted Francis Laloupo, a Beninese journalist, teacher and author of democratic blues, Africa 1990-2020 (ed. Karthala), this discomfort also feeds on crises that affect old democracies. A phenomenon all the more pregnant as Russian and Chinese autocracies have, in their exchanges with Africa, also exported their political model.
For the third time in twenty, the far right is found In the second round of the presidential election in France. How is this mounted power perceived in French-speaking Africa?
Francis Laloupo Emerging African democracies can only see the fragility of ancient democracies. Taking the Capitol by the supporters of Donald Trump has been a good example. The presence of Marine Le Pen in the second round is another one. But, if the process is never completely completed, democracy has shown that it was also a system capable of going beyond the tests. In the United States as in Europe, it despite the assaults of the far-right parties. People continue to vote even if abstention remains strong.
Nevertheless, this populist outbreak that sweeps the world, from the United States in Brazil through Europe, also resonates in Africa. We are worried about diasporas facing racist speeches in France in particular. But there is also, on the continent, a cloudy fascination with the extreme right speeches that tends to strengthen emerging populations. It can be said that, since the French defend themselves against abroad, we, Africans, are also based to do so, especially against France. We entered the countertop cycle. The withdrawal of the Peonsists and Zemourians legitimize the nationalist positioning of the current Malian authorities and their anti-French speech.
How are the emerging populations in French-speaking Africa?
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