The consequences of French colonial and neocolonial rule are still eminent today, especially when one zooms into the African continent. The French government would rather avoid this topic. To obliterate ongoing abuses and put them back on the international agenda, the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has organised numerous gatherings where emotions often run high among those present; this was also the case in early October in the capital of Azerbaijan at a conference where all French abuses in Africa were on the agenda.

By Arthur Blok
A distinguished mix of prominent African journalists, activists, and opinion leaders gathered in Baku in to share their anger and frustration about the abuses of French neocolonialist policies. A painful remnant of an era of oppression and humiliation that remains a struggle and challenge anno 2024.

Throughout Africa, French rule was characterised by sharp contradictions between a rhetorical commitment to the “civilisation” of Indigenous people through cultural, political, and economic reform. This contrasts sharply with the harsh realities of violent conquest, economic exploitation, legal inequality, and sociocultural disruption.

Despite decolonisation (roughly between the mid-1950s and 1975), France has maintained its economic grip on the continent. It continues to subdue local political rulers and seize control over petroleum, diamonds, gold and other natural resources. Hundreds of French companies are active in Africa, depleting resources at the expense of their often mistreated employees. They don't even shy away from labouring children in the most horrifying circumstances.

While the French government categorically ignores the problems it is responsible for and maintains its modus operandi of abuse, the BIG is trying to turn the tide. Less than two years after its inception, the BIG has actively contributed to the global decolonisation conversation.

BIG director Abbas Abbasov emphasised in late August to The Liberum that his NGO does not intend to stir a political or popular uprising but bases all its activities on international law. “We are not saying anything new; our work is inspired by UN Resolution 1514 of 1960. We are just putting it back on the agenda.”

That is precisely what the conference emphasised. The BIG invited guests from all over the continent to various panel sessions, where they exchanged ideas with local politicians and representatives from prominent think tanks, like Dr Vasif Huseynov from the Center for Analysis of International Relations.

The latter gave an interesting speech quoting the founder of the modern-day Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Sovereignty is not given; it is taken.” Huseynov said these words resonate deeply today, especially in Africa.  “Sovereignty is not a gift to be bestowed. It is right to be earned and strongly protected.”

He highlighted that France's tight grip on its former colonies severely undermines their sovereignty, independence and prosperity. He reminded the audience that France was not the only colonial power; the Netherlands also had butter on its head from that perspective with its overseas territories in the Caribbean.

All participants agreed that the BIG initiatives are essential in addressing matters often downplayed or ridiculed by Western politicians. “It helps to deconstruct the neocolonialist system,” Abdarahmane Wone said.

The leading human rights activist, born in Mauritania, has fought against human rights abuses and equality for over twenty years. He is currently the Head of Communication at Trust Africa, a pan-African foundation emphasising that Africans must collaborate to set their development priorities.

“From my point of view, this initiative also allows us to create opportunities for the people directly concerned to denounce and enlighten the international public on the current situation”, said Elisabeth Mekougou-Obama, a GBV (gender-based violence) expert and Pan-Africanist from Cameroon. 

After the morning session - The Cost of Sovereignty in a Globalised World – Mekougou, Obama made a passionate and emotional statement on inequality between men and women in Africa. “The narrative on colonised and recolonised peoples needs to change. Both historical and, not to forget, their current situation.”

She added: “This initiative shouldn't stop at the conference level. We should actively support the people affected by international and national mobilisation to demand the end of colonial agreements and the construction of more equitable cooperation instruments.”

A statement Abdarahmane Wone could agree with more. He emphasised the importance of people joining hands and is keen on further strengthening relations with Baku.

“As Africans, it also allows us to discuss and strategise what needs to be done for Africans to come and end French neo-colonialism. We are glad we now have a platform here in Baku to discuss significant problems. Rest assured, this is just the beginning and will not stop here.”

Mekougou-Obama added that there is an urgent need to mobilise the public in European countries to challenge the unequal balance of power between ‘powerful capitalists and other peoples. She provided the following example: “Citizens of the global western part of the world receive fake information relative to colonialism and globalisation. It is also important for them to hear different sources of information to develop a single mindset regarding global governance.”

The BIG can look back on a very successful event. It proved once again that it will not stop raising awareness by presenting facts and actual cases from the ground to the global community, which is commonly unaware of the exact situation in colonised regions.

It became evident after the conference that another important step was taken to unite and unify the people in the areas colonised with their platform. Since its establishment in July 2023, the BIG has organised 17 international events on decolonisation and the consequences of colonialism and neocolonialism. It is full of ambition to take the discussion about neocolonialism in Africa to the next level.