France is losing more and more of its influence in Africa, particularly in French-speaking Africa where its former colonies are located. It is constantly accused of being one of the main causes of Africa’s impoverishment. But the spokesperson of the Beninese government doesn’t see things from that perspective.
According to Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, France is not the cause of Africa’s setbacks. In his view, portraying France as responsible for the issues plaguing Africa is a manipulation of the masses. “France does not prevent us from developing,” he affirmed in an interview on national television, while discussing the crisis in Niger.
As the Deputy Secretary-General of the Government and spokesperson for the Benin Government, Houngbédji invites Pan-Africanists to change their strategy of struggle. The current strategy of portraying one power as bad and praising another is not the best, according to him. “Today’s Pan-Africanism must go hand in hand with our development concerns. France does not hinder the prosperity of Pan-Africanism,” he said.
Patrice Talon, an example of active Pan-Africanism For the spokesperson of the Beninese executive, Africa needs active Pan-Africanism, akin to what President Patrice Talon is doing. “President Patrice Talon does not hold dual nationality. He is solely Beninese and he speaks for Africa. He is a voice for Africa. That’s what active Pan-Africanism is. It’s not the one that exploits the misery of the people, it’s not the one that perpetuates confusion among the masses,” he explained.
He recalled that since coming to power, Patrice Talon has allowed all Africans to enter Benin without a visa. For Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, this is evidence of a Pan-Africanism that should be promoted for the emergence of countries.
