French Businessman, Tiecoro Diakite has warned President Mohammadu Buhari
to beware of France and her overtures to help Nigeria end the fight
against Boko Haram.
Diakite, who is originally from Mali, warned that the real goals and
objectives of France and President Francois Holland in Africa is rooted in
neo-colonalism and greed.
He said France has often backed corrupt leaders in Africa, insisting that
the current romance between France and Nigeria has a lot of hidden agenda.
The full text of Diakite’s letter is translated from French below:
“Dear Mr. President!
The majority of Africans greeted your election to the Supreme post of
Nigeria. The Federation of Nigeria, the largest truly independent African
country is the matter of pride and dignity of African people. Your
predecessor had relegated Nigeria to the level of Francophone African
countries under neo-colonialist French rule with such domination tools as
the French army and the CFA franc [currency used in Africa guaranteed by
the French treasury].
After more than fifty years of formal independence, Francophone Africa
remained under French rule. Except for the reigns of [Guinean] President
Sekou Toure, [Malian president] Modibo Keita and [the president of Burkina
Faso]Thomas Sankar, Francophone Africa has seen only “virtual
independence.”
The Federation of Nigeria which fought to preserve its territorial
integrity and its position vis-à-vis sovereignty of the colonial powers,
must avoid any allegiance to France, which has tried once to destroy its
unity by supporting the secession of Biafra. Nigerians should bear in mind
the detrimental policy that France pursues in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
In the war against Boko Haram, France is positioned as saviour of Nigeria
and its neighbours by inviting you and its neo-colonialist lackeys to the
meeting in Paris. Why in Paris? Why not in Africa? France despises the
African people and supports the corrupt presidents and stateless persons.
Its military intervention in Mali which France seems to be proud of, has
served and serves only its neo-colonial interests (uranium in Niger,
protecting French nationals).
Accordingly, you should not be fooled, when France manifests its concern
in the fight against Boko Haram.
The French intervention in Mali is becoming a nightmare for the country.
Given the actions of France in this political and military crisis [in
Mali], peace is not forthcoming in this country.
France’s intervention in the Nigerian will bring nothing positive in that
country, on the contrary, it will only serve to stir up hatred between
ethnic groups in Nigeria. Divide and conquer has always been the policy of
France in Africa.
France has not enough military power to be able to provide the sustainable
resolution of the armed conflict.
The only thing France is good at is adding fuel to the fire as seen in
Syria and as we have seen in the Western-Iranian negotiations. The
Nigerian and African people ask you not to get involved in the French
political game that will only tarnish your presidential image and the
patriotic feelings which the Nigerian people credited to you.
Yours sincerely,
Tiécoro Diakite