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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | France and the economic integration project in French Africa |
Author: | Amuwo, Kunle |
Year: | 1999 |
Periodical: | Internationales Afrikaforum |
Volume: | 35 |
Issue: | 4 |
Pages: | 359-371 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | French-speaking Africa Subsaharan Africa |
Subject: | ECOWAS |
Abstract: | This essay examines the context of regional integration in Francophone Africa with a view to elaborating an African response. It argues that, to the extent that France, and not the African States that set up regional groups, 'has been a beneficiary of the monetary system of the ECOWAS franc zone', has recycled surpluses to itself whenever and wherever these occur, and 'the market is a privileged one for French exports, technology and industry and for French investment in industry, agriculture, etc.', the integration projects in French-speaking Africa will succeed not because, but in spite, of France. French Africa will have to look inwards for solutions to its deepening crisis of underdevelopment before it can begin to look outwards for authentic trade and development partners. Each State has to transform its economic, social and political structures with the people as the subject of development before it can take on the problematic of integration with any reasonable hope of success. Notes, ref. |