Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia of Africa

Francophone Africa has been generally more stable and euro-compliant over the decades. France has been very accommodating and supportive of its historical satellites around the globe, especially in Africa. Visit these countries to marvel at the success of its "Assimilation Policy". Everything from foods to clothes to medicines to vehicles to education and telecoms, not to mention currency has the imprint of France. In fact, until the advent of Africa's Telecoms (say GSM first, Submarine Cables next) Revolution, their international calls went through Paris! This was one factor in the failure of total unity in Africa - there is the strong influence of our erstwhile colonial masters till this day, especially the French.

The Francophone "Establishment Class" see themselves more as so above their people that poverty and political brigandage can only be tackled with the tacit help of France, period! Past French leaders (especially before the full-blown EU of today) were comfy with the status quo. Well, until Nicholas Sarkozy! President Sarkozy wants democracy and development, peace and prosperity everywhere. Some African leaders are finding out, to their mighty chagrin, that things have changed. Add the Obama Factor and it is a sea-change on the way. Benchmark the new stance of the UN, AU, NEPAD and ECOWAS, and we have the pillars of the long-awaited African Renaissance taking firm root.

This is why we must grieve at the turn of events in both Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia: Two of Africa's economic success stories gone awry. By all accounts, an avoidable mess. We must then thank the French for fronting the international community in backing change in these countries through justice and equity, siding with The People. Real comfort.

Here is a message for African Leaders: See what President Bill Clinton did for the American economy in his maximum two-term and his global stature today! See how Prime Minister Gordon Brown bowed to British voters even though he could constitutionally lead a minority government to remain in office, at all costs! Watch out for Gordon, folks, watch out for Gordon - both home and abroad. In the end, sit-tight-ism hardly pays - indeed, it usually back-fires! The global village is not your local village. This global village is REAL. Very.

We thank all African leaders who stand with The People. We must beg those still unable or unwilling to - yes they live in the past, but we BEG them to change and give way to change.