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Fra03


has 1 film 1
Past, present and future of the French security-development-nexus in West Africa 
Convenors:
Diana Ayeh (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa)
Zongo Tongnoma (University of Ouagadougou)
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Format:
Panel
Stream:
'Françafrique'
Location:
Room 1139
Sessions:
Friday 10 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin

Short Abstract:

The panel explores how multiple crises in West Africa affect French politico-economic entanglements in and with the region. More specifically it asks how practices and policies of French government, private, and civil society actors shape and are themselves shaped by the ‘(in)security situation’.

Long Abstract:

Since the late 1990s the term Françafrique symbolizes the military, economic and political dependency between France and its former colonies in West Africa. In the past years, however, the Sahel region in particular has been shaped by multiple crises on the one hand, and geopolitical and economic realignments on the other. Thus, it not only gained global significance in political actions against terrorism, or for the prevention of migration (towards Europe), but also for securing access to raw materials. Going beyond simplistic generalizations, this panel aims to engage with historically contextualizing and empirically-based approaches to study contemporary French-African relations. It invites contributions investigating macro and micro levels of the French security-development-nexus from various angles (e.g. economic, social, and political).

Presentations may address more general questions about France (still) representing a unique actor in security governance, against the backdrop of its various roles within bi-/multilateral policy frameworks and military alliances (e.g. G5 Sahel or MINUSMA). More specifically, the panel raises questions about the role of recent coup d’états in Guinea, Mali or Chad, or that of new partnerships between African leaders and Non-French (i.e. Russian und Turkish) security actors in and for French politico-economic spheres of influence. Also, what are interrelationships between the activities of French(-influenced) multinational corporations (e.g. Areva group), actors in the field of Development Corporation, and Western military presence in the region? Lastly, we also invite contributions about popular (re)actions ‘from below’ regarding the French security-development-nexus, and how this relates or not to a resurrection of 'sentiments anti-français'.

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Friday 10 June, 2022, -
Panel Video visible to paid-up delegates