Accompanied by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Emmanuel Macron addressed Thursday, July 11, members of African diasporas, received for the occasion at the Elysee. For this "great debate", some 400 people were invited: Africans living in France, binational and French of African descent, including some celebrities. The French president immediately showed his ambition: to establish a new "more balanced" relationship with Africa by relying on the diasporas in France, who are "our best ambassadors".
"No Santa Claus for Africa"
Since its introduction, President Nana Akufo-Addo has sent a clear and direct message to Africans from abroad: "We must involve the diaspora in the development of the continent, only Africans can do it, there is no Santa who will do it for us. " The Ghanaian president wants to bet on the resources of the continent, which owns in particular 30% of the minerals of the planet: "We must create the conditions at home for the exploitation.It is not question of sitting while we are take our resources, be it China, the United States or France.The French president wants to know what part of this industry will return to France, it's his role, but our duty is that these agreements be profitable for us ". Among the projects of the Ghanaian president is prominently the single currency for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which he wishes the gradual arrival from 2020.
Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to support this voluntarist policy, saying that it is necessary to discuss "without taboos" the question of the CFA franc, used by eight countries out of fifteen in this zone. While affirming that the success of the continent would come from "Africans and their leaders", the French president endeavored to emphasize the special relationship of proximity with Europe, while evoking the migratory question: "Unlike China and the United States, Europe can not succeed if Africa fails, we must encourage cultural exchanges and combat the mobilities suffered. "
"My son's friend told him that Africa is bad"
To address the question of the place of diasporas in France, the moderator of the debate and journalist Elizabeth Tchoungui splits an anecdote: "My son told his boyfriend that he was going to his other country, Cameroon, for the holidays He replied: 'Africa is bad, my father told me so.' That's where we go! "
For Emmanuel Macron, the change of outlook goes through the promotion of personalities to important positions: "We have set parity objectives for the nominations, we must also give ourselves objectives of diversity, not to favor a type of people but by concern for equality. "
In the company, he admits, the glass ceiling exists: "We are systematizing the blind tests for hiring and promotions to fight against discriminating companies."
On this subject, the Ghanaian President emphasized that the destiny of blacks, wherever they are, is linked to Africa: "A successful Africa raises the status of blacks around the world and the perception that When Africa is going to change, you will see, your situation will change here in France. " Comments that did not convince Madina Tall, a member of the Malian Students Association of Lille, invited to the event: "Unfortunately, the problem is not just an economic question, there is a historical reality linked to colonization far more complex I have French friends who have never set foot in Africa but feel foreign here, prejudices are well anchored, I am not sure that leaders can really act on this issue.
"Explain to African students that you have to come to France to succeed, it is not possible"
Visibly scared by the controversy over the increase in registration fees for foreign students, the French president insisted on defending his reform: "Belgium, Canada, the United States charges fees 10 to 15 times higher, even after our reform.The university is not free, it is the taxpayer who pays! In addition, we have expanded the possibilities of scholarships and exemptions for modest students. "
When Prime Minister Philippe announced the project in November, many universities had stepped up to denounce a discriminatory decision, especially for African students, present in large numbers in France. Numbers in support, Emmanuel Macron affirmed that their number had not declined, in spite of the rise of the tariffs. For him, the priority must be to develop education in Africa: "For two years, we have launched programs to install universities in African countries such as Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, and to explain to all Senegalese or Ivorians that if they want to succeed and make a license, you have to come to Paris or Bordeaux, it is not possible, and that is the mirage in which we live. " These words resonate with Madina Tall: "I understand the mobilization against this reform and that it poses real problems for some, but we Africans should first require good education conditions from our leaders. 'Abroad is above all an opening opportunity, nobody is obliged to come to study in France, it should not be a default choice.'
"Africa 2020 is not the colonial exhibition"
Asked about the place of culture and the possible creation of a cultural center of Africas in France to allow in particular Afro-descendants to access positions of cultural direction, Emmanuel Macron has reservations: "African artists must to have their place in all cultural places, it is up to us to integrate them in the programming. " To dispel the doubts about Africa 2020, the big event he organizes in France around Africa, he puts the feet in the dish: "Africa 2020, it is not the colonial exhibition. to offer a space for free expression and encounters to bi-national African artists, we will bring artists from all over Africa and the diaspora will have a major role to play. "