Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


France-Africa Summit Begins Monday

   Peter Clottey 30 May 2010
   French  President  Nicolas Sarkozy, left, welcomes Congolese President
   Denis  Sassou  Nguesso  upon  his arrival at the Elysee Palace, 26 Apr
   2020

Photo: AFP

   French  President  Nicolas Sarkozy, left, welcomes Congolese President
   Denis  Sassou  Nguesso  upon  his arrival at the Elysee Palace, 26 Apr
   2020 (file)

   A top official of the New Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD)
   has   called   on   African  leaders  to  seek  greater  developmental
   partnership  ahead  of  the  Africa-France  summit that begins in Nice
   Monday.

   Sudir  Chukun, senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD,
   said   the  summit  will  be  a  platform  for  a  new  and  pragmatic
   relationship between France and Africa.

   âThe  summit  should  be  viewed,  in  my  view, as a work in progress
   because,  after  (Mr.)  Sarkozy  came  to  power, he tried many things
   including  re-doing  the  way  France  deals  with Africa. He has been
   dealing with Africa as a wholeâ¦instead of going on a personal country
   basis  (like  before). He has improved some commercial developing ties
   with countries like South Africa and other regions,â he said.

   Local  media  report  that  at  least  40  African heads of states and
   governments  will  be participating in Mondayâs summit, which analysts
   expect to deepen economic ties between Africa and France.

   President  Sarkozy  had  vowed  to improve ties with Africa and change
   what he described as paternalism, hand-outs and dependency.

   But, skeptics say the summit is unlikely to improve or change existing
   relations  that  have  largely  depended on Africaâs natural resources
   despite President Nicholas Sarkozyâs pronouncement.

   Chukun said African leaders should seek more partnership with France.

   âFor  the  African  side,  they  should  view it in terms of a genuine
   partnership,  which  is  definitely one-sided. And, even investment in
   resource  sector  should  be  made  wisely, most probably around joint
   ventures,  transfer  of  technology,  (and)  it  should  be  done in a
   transparent  (way)  and observing all the corporate governance rules,â
   Chukun said.

   France  has  often  come  under criticism for being only interested in
   Africaâs natural resources and has remained quiet despite human rights
   violations - a charge President Sarkozyâs government denies.

   Chukun  said the summit will be helpful to African countries, since he
   said  the government wields influence on French companies operating in
   Africa.

   âMost   of   the   major   French  companies  have  French  government
   participation.  So,  a  clear-cut  genuine  shift  from  the political
   leadership  from  France  will  (impact) the way most French companies
   engage in Africa,â Chukun said.

   Mondayâs summit also coincides with the 50^th independence anniversary
   of several former French colonies.

.