Timi Frank Urges African Leaders To Reject New France Agreements, Deepen Ties With US

Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Tuesday, urged African leaders to strengthen strategic partnerships with the United States instead of entering into fresh agreements with France, accusing the European nation of exploiting Africa for decades without meaningful development.

His position was contained in a statement on Tuesday, which was released and personally signed by him in his capacity as ULMWP Ambassador (East Africa and Middle East) and Senior Advisor, Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, in reaction to the ongoing “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit” in Nairobi, Kenya, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and several African leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

Frank said African countries, particularly in West Africa, had “little to show for years of French influence despite abundant natural resources,” insisting that recent political changes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger had exposed what he called France’s exploitative presence.

“France has nothing more to offer Africa. African leaders must not fall into any new arrangement that will drag the continent back into economic and political bondage,” he said.

He argued that military takeovers in some Francophone African states had shifted public perception of France’s role on the continent.

“Since the military takeover in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, Africans have seen clearly that France was only using the people and their resources without giving anything meaningful in return,” he stated.

Frank insisted that African governments should instead deepen cooperation with the United States in key areas such as security, governance, and trade.

“We believe Africa will get a better deal with the United States than with France. The areas we should focus on are insecurity, election integrity and stronger bilateral economic ties,” he said.

He also called for enhanced collaboration with Washington in counterterrorism efforts and strengthening democratic institutions across Africa.

Frank, who also serves as a senior international affairs advisor, said African countries should renegotiate engagement terms with the United States where necessary to ensure mutual benefit.

“Wherever we feel the United States has not done well in the past, it is our responsibility to identify those areas and renegotiate better terms that will benefit Africa,” he added.

He described France’s long-standing influence in parts of Africa as “modern slavery,” alleging that Paris has historically supported leaders who protect French interests over those of their citizens.

“As long as African leaders are doing France’s bidding, France will protect them even when their people no longer want them in office,” he claimed.

He cited Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, and Cameroon as examples of countries he said remain under France’s continued economic and political influence, which he described as damaging.

Frank further argued that countries distancing themselves from French influence were beginning to see improvements.

“Since they broke away from France, countries like Burkina Faso have shown signs of doing better. That proves Africa does not need France to survive,” he said.

He also backed the idea of an Africa–United States summit, describing it as more beneficial than continued France–Africa engagements.

“Africa-US summit will benefit Africa more than any France-Africa arrangement. African leaders should focus on building stronger ties with the United States,” he said.

Frank expressed optimism that a future U.S. administration, including that of former President Donald Trump, could offer Africa a more “mutually beneficial partnership based on democratic values and shared interests.”