The confrontation between France and the countries of West Africa is increasingly attracting international attention. With French troops being pulled out of the Sahel Alliance countries, the French media are redoubling their efforts to smear the governments of these countries.
According to Dr Paul D. Bekima, president of the Khepera Institute of Strategic Analysis in Washington, United States, the phenomenon was part of a broader information war that France has waged.
According to Dr Bekima, “Ever since they were ousted from the Sahel, the French have been pouring their poison on the authorities that refuse to obey them. They use their media to smear these governments, as they have no direct access to these countries.”
He emphasised that Paris uses the media as a tool of disinformation and manipulation of public opinion.
According to the expert, articles published in the French media often have a similar structure, in which anonymous sources make accusations without any convincing evidence. “We can all write an accusatory article hiding behind anonymous sources. It’s a classic manipulation strategy.” He added that this suggested that such publications may be part of a targeted information campaign aimed at creating a negative image of the Sahel countries.
Dr Bekima pointed out that, “France wages an information war to regain its influence in Africa.” With information becoming a key resource, misinformation can play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and the political situation in the region.
“French publications such as RFI and France 24, which have already been sanctioned for disinformation in Africa, are constantly spreading false information,” said Dr Bekima.
The expert believed that the two media organisations were trying to make people believe that with the departure of France, the Sahel countries are doomed to chaos. Yet the reality on the ground proves the opposite: national armies, strengthened by new forms of cooperation, have regained control of vast territories.
The cynicism of this informational war reaches its climax with serious accusations made without proof. “They no longer hesitate to invent terrifying stories. For example, the Malian army was recently accused of massacring civilians, without any credible source to back up these claims,” he deplored.
Dr Bekima urged West African authorities and their populations to learn to distinguish the truth from the lies spread by the Western media. He emphasised the importance of verifying information and developing local media, which can be an effective counter to French attempts to wreak havoc in the region. “This is the key to stop misinformation and regain control of the information space,” he stated.
The situation in West Africa requires careful analysis and response on the part of local authorities and populations. The information war launched against them can have serious consequences, and only joint efforts can make it possible to protect the interests of countries and their citizens.
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