Al-Jazeera - The French African Connection (2013) Part 1 Frances Thurst for Energy

This series explores the dark and dramatic history of France's relationships with its former African colonies. This series tells the story of 'France Afrique': a brutal and nefarious tale of corruption, massacres, dictators supported and progressive leaders murdered, weapon-smuggling, cloak-and-dagger secret services, and spectacular military operations.

Part 1: France's Thurst for Energy

The first episode untangles the web of political connections between France and its former African colonies. After independence, France still needed Africa's natural resources, particularly its oil - and Africa needed French investment. This dependence allowed France to position itself as the guardian of its former colonies. In order to ensure that it could easily reap resources like oil, gas, gold and uranium, France secured stability in these African countries. General de Gaulle, the French president from 1959 to 1969, established an Africa unit that reported directly to him. And Jacques Foccart, an influential businessman and ally of de Gaulle, developed a network of French and African politicians, leaders and businessmen to maintain control in the former colonies. This network, its actions and the policies it employed, became known as Francafrique. This story reveals the lengths the former colonial power has gone to – from coups and assassinations to rigged elections and embezzlement – in order to satisfy its thirst for energy.

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