LONDON — Outside of the German election result, Europe’s most newsworthy event of the past week was French president Emmanuel Macron’s 90-minute long address at La Sorbonne on Tuesday. It enjoyed blanket media coverage, primarily because of the young leader’s fresh proposals for advancing the European project.
For Africans, however, there was some big news that enjoyed little more than a brief mention in the popular press. So I went hunting for the transcript of the speech, eventually tracking one down on the official French presidential site.
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Reading the detail was rewarding because right near the top comes the part that should warm a billion hearts. Quite clearly, Africa has a new champion in Europe. And he is a friend who is unafraid of confronting the practical reality of living next door to poor neighbours.
Macron offered a six point plan for Europe. Number three focuses on Africa and is based on unimpeachable logic: Mass migration into Europe is the bloc’s biggest challenge. It will never be stemmed by force. The only solution is to address reasons the income disparity at source.
And that, says Macron, requires a radically transformed approach where Europe stops treating Africa as “a threatening neighbour, but as a strategic partner.” To this end, development aid into Africa must be increased, almost like a repeat of the Marshall Plan which helped Europe back onto its feet after World War Two.
And Europe’s bright young leader reckons he even has the funding vehicle.
France introduced its Financial Transaction Tax in 2013, raising the rate to 0.3% a year ago (from 0.2%). The proposal to introduce this tax throughout the EU has stalled because of concerns by members over exactly where the proceeds will go.
Macron now says he has a simple solution: introduce it as a common tax across the EU and earmark all the billions of euros that will be raised for African development. To show he’s serious, he committed to allocate France’s entire annual financial tax receipts of €1bn into the proposed African pot.
There was a lot more to Macron’s speech, including an assertion that his proposed reforms to the EU would make it an irresistible home for the UK (and effectively reverse Brexit – much like George Soros has predicted). That is welcome for those who appreciate the benefit for the Whole of harmony and co-operation over divisiveness and competition.
But for Africans, it’s the pragmatic perspective of an economic reality which will resonate.
The European Union, says Macron, was born on the idea of freedom and democracy. With a little help from its rich neighbour, Africa can achieve the same dream. Because, as he put it, “If Europe does not seize the chance, others will. And if none do it, Europe alone will suffer the consequences.”
Africa’s rising may not be that far off after all.
