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Air Afrique collapse stirs up ill-feeling in air transport milieu
The presidents of Senegal and the Ivory Coast are confronting each other via the media over this tricky issue. The daily newspaper from the Ivory Coast, Fraternité Matin has opened fire.
Transition in an unusual tone for the Ivoirian State-controlled daily newspaper, Fraternité Matin, which is traditionally prudent, and which can mainly be given credit for having opened up the debate on the future of Air Afrique. This symbol of economic panafricanism has filed for bankruptcy, because of astronomical debt, and the political leaders of the eleven member states have decided to bring it back to life. This challenge will test the strength of conviction of those leaders who have embarked on an ambitious project of establishing an African Union, inspired by the European model.
It all started with a statement by the Senegalese President, at the French-African summit organised in support of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), in Paris. Abdoulaye Wade, who is also involved in the initiatives launched to save Air Afrique, said that he was no longer interested in the future of the company, because he had already vainly invested CFAF20 billion (around Euros30 million) in it, and also because its small national company, Air Senegal International, was doing very well. Such words could not remain unnoticed, in a context in which some people remain doubtful in the face of the development of micro companies, which are incompatible with the community spirit, all the more so as the relationship between the Senegalese President and his Ivoirian counterpart are a bit strained. In an article entitled " Wade is Balkanising ", Jean-Baptiste Akrou, an editorial writer at Fraternité Matin, and also a friend of M. Gbagbo, who doesn't hesitate to be critical, opened fire : " Wade's strategy is dangerous and should be opposed for several reasons. It is a form of withdrawal into oneself and short-sighted selfishness (…) The case of Air Senegal International, which is the pride of President Wade, ties in neatly with the logic of those countries which are always talking about integration and African solidarity, whereas they are only worried about their own countries, and their own interests. "
Everyone for themselves
Ivory-Coast is the economic power of Francophone West Africa. For this reason, and because of the recent political turmoil that has exacerbated the nationalism of many, its neighbours suspect him of trying to go solo. " What would the other member states of Air Afrique have said if such a statement was made by President Gbagbo ? What would we have heard if Air Ivoire had taken the initiative to conquer the international traffic first? Certainly, the country would have been accused of (…) withdrawal into itself, strengthened by its financial power, jealous of its assets, arrogant, selfish and self-important. But our country, which is conscious of its duty of solidarity, does not want to be an island of prosperity in an ocean of poverty ".
Recalling the activism of Abdoulaye Wade, who wrote a book-plea,(paper?) " Un destin pour l'Afrique ", when he was in opposition, the editorial writer writes, with evident bitterness, : " Now that the high priests of integration have paved the way of the " every man for himself " credo, aren't we heading towards a negation of the ideals of federation? What credibility could Nepad have if each head of state only considered their immediate interests ?" Hurt, Mr Wade''s special communication adviser used his right of answer, to reassure and defend the stance of his government. " Yes, [Air Afrique] is a necessary tool of integration. Yes, it must be kept alive, but in a different way, because it was ill-managed, and we must bear the consequences of this. (…) No Air Senegal cannot prosper on the ashes of Air Afrique." However, he concluded, fairly : " I thank you for your fervent panafricanism. Maybe, in the face of the dangers which are a challenge for this difficult regional integration, should people of the like of Jean-Baptiste Akrou be heard ? Or should they be advised to avoid excesses which just destroy without building anything ".
Théophile Kouamouo
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