Commenting on the French presidential elections, Modeste Seri, President of Diaspora et Jeunesse de Côte d’Ivoire (DJCI), said they represent an example of civic culture that African countries would do well to closely look at. Despite the fact that the electorate was almost evenly divided between both candidates, the recognition of Mr Nicolas Sarkozy as the winner was unquestioned. He is accepted as the President-Elect of the entire French nation. “How many African candidates would have accepted the outcome as graciously as the runner up, Mme Royal, and her followers did?” asked Mr Seri, wishing Mr Sarkozy much success as the new leader of his nation. 

“The election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the Presidency marks the start of a new chapter in French history. A new generation has come to power. This is of great importance for France and beyond, especially in francophone Africa” said Mr Seri speaking from Abidjan.

Mr Sarkozy has consistently stated his intention to undertake deep reforms in France. This will also be a good time to profoundly change French policy toward Africa. “We hope that under the new President, France will end the failed practices that have characterised French-African relations in recent decades. We hope that from now on France will treat us with the sincerity, honesty, and respect that are essential for the success of the mutually satisfactory relations both sides desire”, said Mr Seri.

“Even if Africa, despite its importance, had not featured highly in the electoral campaign, the words spoken by Mr Sarkozy immediately after the announcement of his electoral success fill us with hope that a new dawn in French-African relations may lie ahead.  We can only express our hope that this will be so” added Mr Seri, saying that he was encouraged by Mr Sarkozy’s plan of a Mediterranean community to strengthen relations with Africa. 

Remembering that France’s role in international forums is not negligible -it is a key member of the European Union and permanent member of the UN Security Council- Mr Seri considered that it cannot escape paying close attention to the current plight of the African continent. “It is not sufficient to take obstructive measures to stem the flood of African economic and political refugees seeking in Europe the security they do not find at home. No, effective measures must be taken to ensure good governance in Africa so as to improve living conditions for its people, thus encouraging them to stay at home. Respect for the rule of law, the end of corruption and impunity, the end of foreign economic exploitation are some of the prerequisites to build the just, democratic and prosperous African societies of the future. It is true that our own leaders must be made to change their attitudes. For that we need government transparency ensured by public scrutiny from a strong civil society. But we also need our foreign partners to cease supporting undemocratic governments and to stop colluding with our corrupt elites in the unjust extraction of our rich natural resources” said Mr Seri. 

Mr Seri hoped that under Mr Sarkozy, France will end the negative past practices in its relationship with Africa, and lay the foundations for honest partnerships designed to truly benefit the long-term interests of the African, French and European people in a sustainable way, so that harmony and healthy mutually beneficial cooperation can really take place.

“What a better place for the Sarkozy government of France to start such a new page in French-African policy than in its relations with my own country, the Ivory Coast, a nation that has suffered so much from the excesses of previous government policies?”, asked Mr Seri.

Ivory Coast is presently facing an important historical turning point. Its suffering people have great expectations for a peaceful settlement of the conflict that has divided the country in recent years. But, “we need to remember that the path to peace passes through justice. Impunity, disrespect for the rule of law, lack of transparency, nepotism are not the way to lay the foundations for genuine long-term peace and reconciliation, whatever the chief protagonists may say”, added Mr Seri.  He reiterated the view of his organisation, DJCI, that sustainable peace in Côte d’Ivoire requires a period of transitional government by honest and committed technocrats able to truly address the grievances of the population, and to reconstruct the failing institutions of the state. Such a transition also requires the strong support of the international community. President Sarkozy could inaugurate his new Africa policy by enabling France to play a leading role, both bilaterally and through the European Union and the UN Security Council, to ensure a sustainable peace in Ivory Coast.  
 

Abidjan May 2007

Diaspora et Jeunesse de Côte d’Ivoire (DJCI),
Président, Modeste Gnamé SERI                    

Contact : movdjci@aol.com