Dare Babalola
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has urged African governments to prioritise stronger partnerships with the United States instead of pursuing new diplomatic and economic arrangements with France.
Frank made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday while reacting to the ongoing Africa-France partnership summit taking place in Nairobi. The gathering is being attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and several other African heads of state.
According to him, decades of French presence and influence in many African countries have delivered little meaningful progress, particularly in resource-rich nations across West Africa.
Frank argued that African leaders should channel their diplomatic energy toward building stronger bilateral ties with the United States, especially in areas such as security cooperation, democratic reforms, trade expansion and foreign investment.
“Africa stands to gain more from deeper engagement with the United States than from any renewed alliance with France. Our priorities should be combating insecurity, protecting electoral credibility and expanding economic opportunities,” he said.
He warned that the continent must avoid entering into fresh arrangements that could undermine its political and economic independence.
“France has exhausted whatever it claims to offer Africa. Leaders on the continent must resist any framework that could return Africa to another era of dependence,” Frank added.
The former APC spokesman also called for increased collaboration with Washington in the fight against terrorism and the strengthening of democratic institutions across Africa.
He stressed that African nations should negotiate from a position of strength and ensure that any future relationship with the United States produces visible benefits for citizens.
“Where previous partnerships have fallen short, African governments must identify those gaps and renegotiate terms that serve the interests of the people,” he stated.
Frank further criticised France’s historical role in parts of Africa, describing its continued influence as exploitative. He alleged that Paris often backs leaders who protect French strategic interests, even when such governments lose domestic support.
He named Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Cameroon among nations he believes remain under strong French economic influence.
Frank also pointed to Burkina Faso as an example of a country seeking a new path after distancing itself from French control.
“Countries that have moved away from France are beginning to show signs of progress. That demonstrates Africa can chart its own future,” he said.
He endorsed the idea of a dedicated Africa-US summit, saying it would produce more value for African nations than renewed France-Africa initiatives.
Frank also expressed confidence that a future administration led by former US President Donald Trump could open a new phase of cooperation based on mutual interests and democratic principles.
