News – World: The coup that overthrew President Ali Bongo in Gabon is a sign of the decline of French influence in Africa, the French newspaper L'Humanité stated in a report.

The report explained that the Bongo family, which ruled Gabon for nearly 56 years, was an example of the new French colonial regime in Africa, as it relied on dictatorship and corruption to maintain its power.

It pointed out that the coup in Gabon reflects profound changes in the attitudes of the peoples of West Africa, as they no longer wish to live under “destructive Western paternalism.”

The newspaper reported that France tried to maintain its influence in Africa by supporting dictatorial regimes and exploiting the natural resources of African countries, but these efforts began to decline in the face of pressure from the African peoples demanding democracy and sustainable development.

The report also pointed out that the annexation of Gabon to the areas of French colonial influence in Africa began with President Omar Bongo, the father of the recently deposed president, Ali Bongo, who came to power at the end of the sixties of the last century. Paris was searching, at any cost, for the necessary means. to maintain its influence over the countries of its "former colonial empire".

The newspaper's report stressed that corruption represented the center of this regime, as the Gabonese leaders achieved for the majority of French parties that participated in politics "a large-scale neo-colonial consensus."

The report also added that a large portion of the population holds France responsible for the security situation in and around the country, especially since on July 26, “another domino fell in France’s backyard.” It succeeded in overthrowing Mohamed Bazoum in Niger, France's man in the country, and one of its closest partners in the region, which caused a deep problem for Paris.

The report also referred to the recent redeployment of French forces in Africa, explaining that they are still present on the continent, especially in Chad and Côte d'Ivoire, which are "the only two countries that France can still count on."

As for the rest of the countries of the region, the peoples of West Africa no longer desire “this destructive patriarchy.” Paris “never understood that after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States no longer needed it as a policeman for Africa,” iIndicating that the losses it is currently incurring on the continent are the result of its “poor awareness of the political and social reality.”

The newspaper touched on the US presence in Africa. It noted that Washington “presented its pawns with the same goals, without relying on the colonial past." In addition to the emergence of other new players, including Russia, China and Turkey. This confirms the existence of many factors that explain the “almost final expulsion of France from the continent.”

The report considered that the evidence of "the expulsion of France from Africa" is found in Niger, where the US has the largest base for drones, but it is "not worried", referring to the level of French concern about developments in the region.

Tension in Gabon escalated as a result of the presidential and legislative elections, which were held on Saturday, in the absence of international observers. By declaring his victory in the elections, Bongo sought to extend his family's rule that had continued since 1967. Meanwhile, the opposition worked to bring about change in this African country rich in oil and cocoa, where most of its population suffers from poverty.

The military council in Gabon announced, on Wednesday morning, its success in seizing power in the country, and placing Bongo under house arrest, a few hours after the election commission announced that he had won a third presidential term. Demonstrations in support of the overthrow of Bongo took place in the streets of the capital, Libreville, and several other cities.

The military council in Gabon also chose the commander of the Republican Guard, General Brice Olegy Nguema, as the leader of the next transitional phase in the country.