AFRICAN TWILIGHT OF FRANCOPHONIE
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University, Ukraine, Grubov Volodymyr , Sanakuiev Mykola ,   V.I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine, Ukraine
Published: June 2023

Francophonie and politics "Françafrique" occupy a dominant role in French foreign policy. French President Charles de Gaulle initiated this model of foreign relations of France in the world. France actively used in the 60s and 70s of the last century by the results of this policy, and it is rightly considered "golden times" of French society. The results of management have manifested themselves at the beginning of the new century. Consequences the management of the colonial legacy and the "Arab Spring" caused radical changes in the social system. Since the presidency of N. Sarkozy (2007–2012), the threat of illegal emigration, religious extremism and terrorism disturb the well-being of France. For French politicians these changes have become indicators of the effectiveness of conducting affairs in overseas territories as well as indicators of manifested activity of competitors and allies of Paris in such regions positioned like zone of national interests of France. The purpose. The aim of the scientific analysis is to reveal the phenomenon of Francophonie in development of the political course of "the greatness of France", initiated by French President Charles de Gaulle, also to reveal the reasons for the contradictions between France and its African colonial legacy. Francophonie as a certain strategy French national security policy considered in unity with the logic of the secret toolkit of the "Francafrique" policy that hides numerous corrupt connections between the elites of France and African countries to preserve the influence of France in the countries of this region. Contents of four sections of the study reveals four tasks. These tasks are: to investigate the content and orientation of the modern phenomenon of Francophonie; to reveal the significance of the African colonial heritage in France's national security strategy; to identify features the concept of "Françafrique" in the policy of presidents N. Sarkozy, F. Hollande and E. Macron; to reveal the peculiarities and contradictions of the economic imperative French policy of neocolonialism. Sections are linked and reflect the content of the problem. Methodology. The research carried out by using comparative, dialectical, historical and systemic methods. This made it possible to consider the policy of "Françafrique" as a shadow side of the strategy "Francophonie" and to consider features and goals in retrospect national security strategy of France in the 21st century. Results. The research has established existing contradictions between the parties of the Franco-African dialogue. The different goals of development and strategies for their achievement determine the content of contradictions. France tends to use Francophonie and "Françafrique" policy as a set of tools for winning "places in the sun" (J. Attali). Countries of colonial heritage use it to get rid of poverty, religious extremism and terrorism. There is evidence that since 2010 – the beginning of the "Arab Spring", the severity of problems in countries of the "Françafrique" club, has grown significantly. This forced a number of countries regions of the Sahel, West and Central Africa to review relations with France, and Paris – to announce a new strategy in the region. In 2023, the focus is on finding new alliances, business interests, effective management of military equipment with all interested countries of the African region, in order to maintain security and stability. Practical implications. Research results can be used in Blocks of humanitarian disciplines that consider international issues politics and regional security. Value/originality. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the disclosure ontological foundations of the modern phenomenon of Francophonie as a manifestation of strategy "soft power" of France. Paris positions this strategy as an antithesis to existing international models cooperation, as a universal key to national development of countries participating in the Francophone Club. Conclusions. Since 1970 – the time of creation of the International organizations of Francophones, Francophonie should be considered as a component of France's foreign policy course on the way for the Fifth republic to achieving the status of "the greatness of France" [global leadership]. The African region plays a key role in the achievement of this status. In the "Strategic Review" (2017) stated, that the policy of ensuring national the interests of France and the implementation of the security strategy is directly connected with overseas territories, that "have a strategic and economic significance" in today's conditions. The "Françafrique" policy is a proven instrument of "French greatness". It preserves the connections of the corrupted elites of France and African countries and serves as the basis for the continuation of the policy "economic colonialism" opposed today by virtually all countries of the "Françafrique" club.