Robert Bourgi has revealed his extensive involvement with French and African presidents spanning decades. In his newly-published memoirs, Bourgi recounts an anecdote from January 1998, where he was collecting funds for French presidential candidate Jacques Chirac from the Gabonese president Omar Bongo. This incident, along with many others, sheds light on the intertwined relationships of money and politics between French and African leaders. Bourgi, who was born in Senegal to Lebanese parents, was a key figure in this system for over 40 years, rubbing shoulders with prominent African leaders and inheriting the legacy of Jacques Foccart in overseeing the Françafrique system. Despite the widespread practice of African leaders providing financial support for French political parties, Bourgi claims he never personally handled the cash. As the world changed, so did the dynamics of this relationship, with Nicolas Sarkozy’s refusal to accept funds from Africa marking a shift. Bourgi also played a role in influencing the outcome of the 2017 French election, showcasing his enduring connection to the world of politics. Today, the once-stable bond between French and African leaders has evolved, with France’s influence in its former colonies diminishing. 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.”