Update On The African Front
As I mentioned last night, I’ll be heading out for my annual eye exam shortly. There’s no more information regarding the drone attack on Pskov right now, so we may as well take a look at developments in Africa.
There’s been a coup in Gabon. Reports are mixed. Since “independence”, Gabon has been under one family rule for 56 years—the Bongo family—who have been viewed as puppets of France and French interests. The economy is an extractive one, run by French companies: logging and manganese and, since 1997, oil. Some say oil will run out next year or the year after, others describe Gabon as “oil rich.” I believe the latter is probably closer to the truth. France has 350 troops in Gabon.
Very little is clear about the coup. Some reports claim its an anti-French move, others that the military thought the Bongo family was too close to China, still others that its all about internal politics and dissatisfaction with the failure to share the proceeds from the oil boom with the population generally. Here’s the Reuters account:
Gabon army officers say they have seized power after election in oil-rich country
I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this tweet—I haven’t had time to check it—but FWIW:
Silver
@Silver99059510
Ali Bongo is another extremely pro France and pro west president who along with Ivory Coast’s president was championing the push for military intervention in Niger. Like other French colonies in AFRICA, Gabon has also has several French soldiers in their country at the time of ..
4:13 AM · Aug 30, 2023
The French reaction does seem more unsettled than the Russian and Chinese reaction—the latter expressed a wish for a return to stability. Al Jazeera adds this about the French reaction:
Gabon President Bongo detained in coup attempt after winning third term
If successful, the coup would represent the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020. Coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger have undermined democratic progress in recent years.
…
… French media outlets France 24, RFI and TV5 Monde were also banned, accused of “a lack of objectivity and balance … in connection with the current general elections”, the government said.
….
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said her government was following events in Gabon “with the greatest attention.” Paris maintains a military presence in many of its former territories — including Gabon where it has 370 soldiers permanently deployed, some in the capital Libreville, according to the French defence ministry website.
The French manganese mining company has halted operations in Gabon.
The American reaction can probably be inferred from this account:
Max Blumenthal
@MaxBlumenthal
“In over 20 years working with the Americans, I have never seen them so desperate,” a South African official who met with Nuland told The Grayzone
Quote
The Grayzone
@TheGrayzoneNews
Shocked by Niger coup, Victoria Nuland appeared “desperate” during Africa tour
@anyaparampil reports from South Africa on the trail of the Deputy Secretary of State and veteran neoconservative operative
https://thegrayzone.com/2023/08/29/niger-coup-victoria-nuland-africa-tour/…
9:44 AM · Aug 29, 2023
Meanwhile, attempting to cover all French power bases, Macron proclaimed that France is “an Amazonian power” based on its colonial presence—well, French Guiana is a termed a department of France:
Mats Nilsson
@mazzenilsson
President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern about the expansion of BRICS and stated that the entry of new members into the bloc could lead to a "fragmentation of the world."
"The expansion of BRICS shows the intention to build a world order alternative to the current one, which is seen as too Western," said the French President during a meeting with ambassadors on Monday.
"We are an Amazonian power through French Guiana. I would like Brazil and the powers in the region to accept our membership," he added.
Citing that the new configuration of BRICS could pose a risk to the weakening of Europe, Macron stated that he intends to "engage with all" partners to try to prevent such a scenario.
Desperation settling inside the Garden.
5:17 AM · Aug 30, 2023
No word on how accepting Brazil and other South American countries actually are. One doesn’t talk of such matters unless one is in some doubt.
The Global War appears to be broadening.
Back in the day, there was a joke about France and the telephone: half of France is waiting for the phone (booth), the other half the dial tone. From the latest reports, it seems both Macron and his German counterpart have been kept on hold interminably by Putin, who then just hung up. The indignity! Never mind, let’s call Africa instead. Not being up on things telecom in Africa, I can still imagine that the new powers-that-be in Niger have no time to take calls from France. Rather, to reach Africa, France has to call DC. DC in turn calls Ecowas. Once again France has no voice. And now Gabon! Ridiculed by Putin, played by Zhou, hemmed in by Brics! France and the rest of Europe are still on the line, and noone is listening.
Victoria Nuland was surprised and desperate? That can’t be right, after all she’s always the smartest person in the room.