ComradeTimiFrank
Nigerian political activist and former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has urged African leaders to rethink their long-standing relationship with France and pursue stronger strategic alliances with the United States, insisting that Africa must break free from what he described as decades of economic and political exploitation.
Frank made the call while reacting to the ongoing “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit” in Nairobi, Kenya, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and several African leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released Tuesday, Frank argued that many African nations, particularly in West Africa, have little developmental progress to show despite years of close ties with France and the abundance of natural resources across the continent.
According to him, recent political shifts in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have exposed growing dissatisfaction with France’s role in African affairs and sparked renewed conversations about sovereignty and economic independence.
“France has nothing more to offer Africa. African leaders must not fall into fresh arrangements capable of returning the continent to political and economic bondage,” he stated.
Frank said the recent developments in some Francophone African nations have encouraged many Africans to question the true impact of France’s influence over the years.
He maintained that Africa should now focus on forging stronger and more balanced partnerships with the United States in areas such as security cooperation, democratic reforms, trade, investment, and electoral integrity.
“We believe Africa stands to gain more through strategic engagement with the United States, especially in critical sectors like insecurity, economic growth and democratic development,” he said.
The former APC spokesman, who also serves as Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, stressed the need for African governments to negotiate international agreements that directly improve the lives of citizens.
He argued that Africa must move from dependency-based diplomacy to partnerships built on mutual respect, accountability, and shared benefits.
Frank also criticised what he described as France’s long-standing political grip on some African countries, alleging that Paris historically backed leaders who protected French interests over the aspirations of their citizens.
He referenced countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, and Cameroon as examples of nations still heavily influenced by French political and economic interests.
According to him, countries that have begun distancing themselves from France are already witnessing signs of stronger national control and renewed confidence in self-determination.
“Burkina Faso and others are beginning to demonstrate that Africa can survive and prosper independently without relying on France,” he added.
Frank further backed calls for an Africa-U.S. summit, describing it as a more productive platform for future cooperation than renewed France-Africa engagements.
He also expressed optimism that the administration of Donald Trump could offer Africa more mutually beneficial partnerships rooted in shared democratic and economic interests.