Jean-Luc Mélenchon had a meeting with Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the Senegalese government during his visit to Dakar. This meeting marked the first time a high-ranking French political official has been received by the new Senegalese government. This favor can be attributed to the support Mélenchon provided to the Patriotes Africains pour le Travail l’Ethique et la Fraternité (Pastef) leaders when the party was in opposition to Macky Sall. Despite there being no official meeting scheduled with the new Senegalese president, there is no discomfort towards the French authorities in Mélenchon’s visit.
Mélenchon’s anti-imperialistic rhetoric sets him apart from the French government in supporting opposition movements in Africa. While France was cautious about taking sides in the tensions in Senegal, LFI openly supported the opposition. This support was acknowledged by the Senegalese government. Through his visits to countries like Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mélenchon aims to create alliances and gain popularity with his anti-imperialistic stance.
One of Mélenchon’s visits to Kinshasa involved him denouncing the international community’s inaction against the Rwandan-backed Movement du 23-Mars in the Eastern DRC. This firm stance, unlike the French government’s approach of maintaining relations with Rwanda, has earned him invitations from African leaders like Félix Tshisekedi. Mélenchon’s stance on foreign policy reflects a desire for independent diplomacy and respect for all nations, not just Western countries.
Despite criticism for some of his diplomatic visits, like in Morocco where he refused to take a stand on the Western Sahara issue, Mélenchon’s visits aim to secure votes from the diaspora and French expats living in Africa. Rejecting accusations of electoral opportunism, LFI claims their support for oppressed populations is part of their core values, not driven by political calculus. By engaging with former French colonies, they aim to show respect for African communities facing racism and bring unity to the nation.
Mélenchon’s efforts to forge alliances in Africa are part of his broader anti-imperialistic agenda and a challenge to traditional French foreign policy. By siding with opposition movements and denouncing international injustices, Mélenchon aims to carve out an alternative voice for French diplomacy. His visits to various African countries have garnered both praise and criticism, highlighting the complexities of engaging in foreign policy while remaining true to one’s values and principles.
