Western colonial reflexes hinder understanding of the Sahel, according to Bali Nébié

Bali Nébié argues that Western leaders' difficulty in understanding geopolitical changes in Africa, particularly in the Alliance of Sahel States AES countries, stems from colonial-era perceptions deeply ingrained in their mindsets. Nébié suggests that these thought patterns need to be re-evaluated to foster relationships based on mutual respect and the sovereignty of African states. The author notes that leaders of imperialist countries, especially France and its allies, appear disoriented by the geopolitical situation in the Sahel over the past decade, making incoherent statements through their media. These "experts" are portrayed as believing that Africa needs recolonization due to its natural resources, acting as if time stopped at the Berlin Conference. They are described as blaming Russia for their misfortunes, convinced that Africans are incapable of such elaborate initiatives themselves. Nébié attributes this myopia to prejudices about Africans, instilled through social environments and educational systems for generations, portraying Africans as less intelligent and almost subhuman. The article posits that Europeans, needing resources, continue to harbor these prejudices, which distort their understanding of sub-Saharan Africa. The author explains this phenomenon through the concept of the subconscious, which stores information and programs from birth, influencing behavior. Programmers of the subconscious include family, friends, official schools, religion, media, and