Robert Bourgi has revealed his extensive involvement with French and African presidents over the years. In his newly-published memoir, Bourgi recounts a story from 1998 when he was collecting funds for French presidential candidate Jacques Chirac from Gabonese president Omar Bongo. This anecdote sheds light on the longstanding relationship of money and influence between French and African politics. Bourgi, born in Senegal to Lebanese parents, was a key figure in this system for four decades, rubbing shoulders with African leaders and inheriting the role of Jacques Foccart in overseeing the Françafrique system. The system involved African leaders providing financial support to French political parties, a practice Bourgi facilitated by delivering messages and receiving large sums of money in various elections. Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Bourgi reflects on the stability and personal bonds that existed between French and African leaders during that time, acknowledging that the system is now a thing of the past as France’s influence in its former colonies diminishes. JOHANNA LEGUERRE/AFP Testigo del reciente retiro de sus antiguas bases militares en Malí y Níger.
“Observo con tristeza la desintegración de las relaciones francesas con el continente”, dice Bourgi.
“Pero es demasiado fácil echar toda la culpa a la Françafrique… África se ha globalizado. Francia no ha podido adaptarse a este nuevo hecho. Y sigue cometiendo el mismo error: arrogancia”.