Of Ilaria Bifarini (economist, our guest at the conference on Thursday 31.01.19 a Verona)
Source: Sputnik
Africa with its problems and paradoxes, a very rich territory but crushed by poverty, remains at the center of the debate or rather of international discord. The ramifications of responsibility between European states for the management of the migratory emergency and the cross accusations between the French and Italian governments continue..

The French government, who did not hesitate to define Italy's management of migratory flows as disgusting, However, he does not seem to feel the slightest embarrassment for the neocolonial exploitation of the continent and for his responsibilities in the armed destabilization of Libya, with the consequent resurgence of the migratory phenomenon. A dark picture emerges where Italian geopolitical interests clash with those of the “allies” French.
To delve deeper into the topic, Sputnik Italia reached out to Ilaria Bifarini, economist and writer, author of the essay “The settlers of austerity” (Altaforte Editions), the first to have raised the case of French neocolonialism in Africa in the context of mass immigration.
— Prime Minister Conte recently returned from his umpteenth trip to Africa, this time in Niger and Chad. Ilaria Bifarini, what is the importance of relations with Africa for the Italian economy?

— Africa is certainly a strategic continent for its riches and its wealth of natural resources. It is the richest continent in the world despite continuing to be the poorest and destined for endemic underdevelopment. However, the problem that has been discovered in recent days, through the statements of Di Maio and Di Battista, it is that of neocolonialism which is exercised on this continent primarily by France. This is a very complex and multifaceted phenomenon which is at the basis of the underdevelopment of this territory. All this can therefore be linked to the phenomenon of the migratory explosion we are witnessing.
— What Italy should do, how it should act towards these migratory flows, always in the context of relations with the African continent?

— The problem of migratory flows must be resolved through agreements with individual states, as it had been done in the past. However, I'll repeat it again, if we do not understand the reasons why we are witnessing this mass migratory phenomenon, we do not intervene on the real problems of the African continent and we limit ourselves only to the difficult management of incoming flows. If Italy is left alone by the other European states we will not be able to solve the problem, also because the African continent is experiencing a demographic explosion, at the moment it matters 1,2 billion inhabitants and in 2050 an increase of up to two and a half billion is expected.

So we need to go back to the origin of the problem that drives these migratory flows and understand once and for all, opening the Pandora's box of neocolonialism: because these countries have failed to develop, because they do not have a development of their local economy, what are the obstacles that prevented it and what happened to the rivers of billions of dollars that were sent as humanitarian aid. Finally the problem has been raised and must be analyzed in all its complexity, rather than continuing to act according to directives and methods that have not worked. Stop allocating funds that we then don't know how they are divided.
— We have seen Di Maio's statements, Of Battista and Salvini according to whom France steals riches from the African continent and should not give lessons to Italy. What idea do you have of the current clash between Rome and Paris??

— The accusation of Di Maio and Di Battista is absolutely founded, France steals wealth from Africa and this has always happened. Through the Francafrique project, a continuum of French colonialism began without any interruption. France therefore effectively impoverishes the African territory by imposing the domination of its multinationals and has always acted by fueling local unrest and tensions. France's interference in Africa is really important and is finally being talked about.

— What your book is about “The settlers of austerity”?

— In my book, which has recently been updated with a focus on French neocolonialism in Africa, I explain how neocolonialism acts from the decolonization phase to the present day and suffocates the African continent, phenomenon which however continues to be ignored. We continue to react with the usual fake do-goodism of those who talk about hospitality, of guilt on the part of Italy for a colonial past that now belongs to history. No one has ever bothered to analyze what is happening in Africa, who exploits Africa. France must assume its responsibilities, It's time to put an end to this hypocrisy.
Among other things, a few days ago this hegemony was strengthened in Aachen with the Franco-German axis. Therefore Italy finds itself always criticized and required to respect the rules and parameters imposed on it. We turn a blind eye to the scandalous neocolonialist phenomenon that the French operate in Africa.
the care ofTatiana Santi
The author's opinion may not coincide with the position of the editorial staff.