Robert Bourgi has unveiled the intricacies of his decades-long involvement with French and African leadership.
In January 1998, Robert Bourgi found himself in the antechamber of Gabonese President Omar Bongo’s seaside palace in Libreville, waiting to discuss critical financial support for the French presidential election.
Bourgi was there on behalf of Jacques Chirac, the center-right Gaullist candidate and then-mayor of Paris. Unexpectedly, former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas arrived, an associate of Socialist President François Mitterrand, Chirac’s political rival, leading to an intriguing exchange about their shared purpose that showcased the relationship between French and African politics.
These events are detailed in Bourgi’s newly published memoirs, which reveal the long-standing financial ties and mutual dependencies that have shaped these political landscapes.
For four decades, Bourgi was a central figure, having begun his journey in Senegal in 1945 to becoming a close confidant of prominent African leaders such as Omar Bongo of Gabon and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo.
Throughout his career, Bourgi succeeded the legendary Jacques Foccart, who managed the post-colonial Françafrique system—characterized by intricate economic arrangements and support networks.
In the years following World War II, Africa became a pivotal funding source for all French political parties, a dynamic Bourgi witnessed firsthand during the 1980s.
He claims he never personally handled cash transactions. Bourgi explained that he communicated messages from Chirac to various African capitals leading to emissaries delivering significant sums of money to his office in Paris, often amounting to millions in francs or dollars during pivotal elections in 1995 and 2002.
One notable incident from the 2002 campaign involved a Burkinabe representative bringing cash concealed in traditional djembe drums, which resulted in a surprising moment when the drums were opened in front of Chirac, revealing a cascade of banknotes.
Despite the accusations surrounding such practices, Bourgi asserts they were considered standard among African leaders, with large gifts symbolizing trust and support. Nonetheless, as the political landscape evolved, Bourgi became disillusioned with these methods.
With Nicolas Sarkozy’s rise in 2007, he pledged to eliminate African financial contributions, a promise he reportedly kept. Despite being under investigation for alleged campaign funds from Libya, Bourgi stood by Sarkozy, dismissing the charges against him.
Reflecting on his role in Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 campaign, Bourgi recalled how he played a part in undermining the conservative François Fillon’s candidacy, leading to Fillon’s eventual decline amid scandal.
Bourgi’s enduring affection for Africa is evident as he emphasizes that, while the corruption embedded within Françafrique was problematic, it established stability and personal bonds between leaders.
Today, however, Bourgi observes a shift in France’s influence, as relations with former colonies deteriorate, evidenced by France’s withdrawal from military bases in Mali and Niger.
“I lament the decline of French ties with Africa,” Bourgi stated. “While it’s easy to attribute blame to Françafrique, it’s crucial to acknowledge Africa’s globalization and France’s failure to adapt accordingly.”
