Post-Colonial Bonds Remain Complex

“It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others.”

“The West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants.”

“You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can conquer disease, end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can.”

“But these things can only be done if you take responsibility for your future.”

“Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long.”

These are a few of the sentences delivered by Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, during his first visit to black Africa. Apart from the couplet on history and the black man, this speech strangely recalls, both in tone and words, the words of Nicolas Sarkozy in Dakar, Senegal. And yet, what a difference there was between the reserved reception to the speech in Dakar and the triumphant response to the words of Obama in Accra!

It must be said that that the dramatic difference in reaction to the two western leaders is absolutely unjustified. In other words, if Barack Obama had delivered Sarkozy’s speech in Dakar, would he have received the same exuberant reception?

There are some understandable reasons for the difference in treatment- the history of Africa and Africans is tied just as strongly to the United States as it is to France and those historical bonds are equally complex in each case. The United States, however, has built successful, calm relations with Africa whereas France’s relationship with the Dark Continent remains rocky and unstable.

Nicolas Sarkozy has yet to find the right rhythm for addressing Africa, the Afro-French, or the Blacks of France since his accession to power. Since his speech in Dakar, many still await a gesture from President Sarkozy, something concrete to prove he is sincere in his desire to improve Afro-French relations.

Perhaps he is waiting until 2010 to make a definitive move towards Africa. 2010 will mark the 50th anniversary of independence for fourteen former French colonies and the much-anticipated celebrations would be a good chance to make a move towards improving relations between France and sub-Saharan Africa. It seems to me that both white and black Frenchmen are ready to invest in a new history with their African brothers.