Farida Bemba Nabourema on Understanding the Changing Faces of French Neocolonialism in Africa

SPECIAL EDITION OF 90MINUTESAFRICA Sunday, July 5, 2026 11:00 AM New York Time | 4:00 PM Nigerian Time Topic: Understanding the Changing Faces of French Neocolonialism in Africa As military coups, anti-French protests, economic realignments, and new geopolitical structure reshape French controled West Africa, what exactly is changing in the relationship between France and its former African colonies? Has French neocolonialism ended, evolved, or merely changed its face? How does that play into the new scramble for Africa? Joining us for this important conversation is Farida Bemba Nabourema — one of Africa's most prominent voices on democracy, human rights, Pan-Africanism, and the struggle against authoritarianism. A Togolese writer, human rights defender, and Pan-Africanist, Farida Nabourema has been at the forefront of the pro-democracy movement in Togo since her teenage years. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Togolese Civil League and the founder of the internationally recognized "Faure Must Go" movement, which has become a rallying cry for democratic resistance in Togo. Through hundreds of articles, public lectures, and international advocacy campaigns, she has challenged dictatorship, corruption, foreign domination, and the unfinished business of African liberation. Author of the book La Pression de l'Oppression (The Pressure of Oppression), Farida has been recognized globally for her work in democracy promotion and human rights advocacy, earning accolades from international organizations and becoming one of the most influential voices of her generation on African political transformation. Join us as we examine the changing architecture of French influence in Africa, the rise of new forms of dependency and resistance, the role of African elites, and what genuine sovereignty means in the 21st century. Please join us for what promises to be a timely and provocative conversation. #90MinutesAfrica #FaridaNabourema #PanAfricanism #Francafrique #FrenchNeocolonialism #AfricaRising #DemocracyInAfrica