Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has warned African leaders against entering into what he described as “devilish” and “anti-people” agreements with France, urging African youths to resist what he called renewed French influence on the continent.
Mr Frank gave the warning in a statement issued on Thursday while reacting to recent diplomatic engagements between France and some African countries at the “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit” reportedly held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The political activist alleged that France was attempting to regain its influence on the continent after facing resistance in some Francophone African nations in recent years.
According to him, agreements reached between African leaders and France at the summit would not benefit ordinary Africans or promote meaningful development across the continent.
He described the deals as a “Greek gift” and urged African leaders to prioritise the interests of their citizens above what he termed personal ambitions and corruption-driven alliances.
“Any agreement signed with France will only benefit the leaders themselves and not the people. Africans must reject such deals because they are like death warrants for the continent,” Mr Frank said.
He cited countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, which have openly challenged French influence in recent years, insisting that larger African nations should also resist what he described as “a fresh attempt at recolonisation.”
Mr Frank further accused France of historically exploiting African nations through economic and financial arrangements that allegedly kept former colonies dependent on Paris.
“All these years France controlled the resources and financial systems of many African countries. They kept African money and still loaned the same money back to them. That system only promoted poverty and dependency,” he alleged.
Mr Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, ULMWP, Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, also accused France of supporting African leaders who amend constitutions to remain in office.
According to him, Paris had historically backed corrupt regimes across the continent at the expense of democratic governance and development.
He therefore urged Africans to reject leaders who enter into agreements capable of compromising the sovereignty and future of their countries.
“Africans should reject leaders who mortgage the future of their countries for selfish gains. The continent deserves partnerships that promote development, security and prosperity for the people,” he said.
The activist also called on African youths to stage peaceful protests against any agreement perceived to undermine Africa’s sovereignty.
“The youth must wake up and reject this new takeover agenda. The era where France dictates the future of Africa is gone,” he stated.
Mr Frank urged African countries to strengthen partnerships with the United States and Israel, which he said had shown greater commitment to trade, technology, agriculture and security cooperation beneficial to African nations.
He praised former US President Donald Trump and the United States for what he described as opposition to unconstitutional tenure elongation and support for democratic governance in Africa.
According to him, America and Israel have demonstrated “shared developmental values far more inspiring and people-oriented than France.”
