Togo and Gabon: a seismic shift
What joining the Commonwealth means for Africa
The Commonwealth welcomes two new members who were never part of the British Empire in Gabon and Togo, both former French colonies. They join Rwanda and Mozambique in having this unique distinction - although all of them do share cultural ties with existing Commonwealth member states.
Currently the English-speaking world is in an anxious state. The induced race hysteria of 2020 and the shenanigans of Harry and Meghan has helped create an atmosphere of uncertainty for the Commonwealth and the monarchy. Republicans in Australia have renewed their push, while in Caribbean nations debate rages about severing ties with the Crown following Barbados’ decision to do so. (It should be worth noting that only South Africa and Australia ever held referendums on the issue)
In view of this, the decision of African nations to join the Commonwealth would seem mystifying? Why, we’re told, would anyone want to join an institution connected to colonialism and, apparently, racism and slavery? Especially in Africa? Aren’t Britain and other English-speaking so irredeemably wicked that no proudly independent country would want to be associated with them? This is surely now proven a load of baloney by the continuing value the Commonwealth brings to humanity.
An interview with the late Solomon Mamaloni, who was prime minister of the Solomon Islands, gave some insight into views on colonial legacies which would not be accepted in today’s climate. He argued here that the British were actually better rulers than others and left more positive legacies. He also noted that French colonial polices, in as many words, assimilated indigenous populations and “Frenchified” them. One can say the same for Portugal, and the pattern is consistent in their former colonies.
In this context, the “defection” of Gabon and Togo into the Commonwealth camp carries symbolism. Cameroon was formed from territories ruled by both Britain and France, while Mozambique is surrounded by English-speaking Commonwealth nations and shares traffic rules with them in addition to cultural ties. Rwanda likewise has cultural ties with its English-speaking neighbours, but the reason for its shift into the “Anglo” camp is much deeper - it relates to the French role in the Rwandan Genocide and the fact Belgium’s governance of its colonies, even after Leopold II, was singularly slovenly.
But Gabon and Togo have long been two of the more loyal allies of France in the continent. Both have been ruled by typical postcolonial African regimes in which sons have succeeded the father, but nevertheless have had a greater degree of stability and peace. Unlike the regimes created by “liberation heroes” Sekou Toure (Guinea) and Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) whose main exports were human capital to neighbouring countries due to their disastrous governance.
France’s influence on the continent may be waning. The Commonwealth, the Arab World, Israel, Turkey, Russia and China are all vying for influence. A number of African nations face a myriad of internal and cross-border challenges: jihadism, ethnic separatism, looming succession crises. Have Gabon and Togo simply opted for an option which is the safest and will guarantee their long-term security and stability?
And will it succeed in confounding the maniacal race obsessives in the UK and USA who care little for the well-being of Africans, and whose woke take on everything is far removed from African realities and culture? And will South Africa’s descent to failed state status be a destabilising factor in the continent, and how will the Commonwealth act to contain it?
I’ll leave it there.