African leaders revel in largesse while people live in poverty (Corrupt ties to France explored)

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | July 16, 2008 | Henry Samuel

[Stoat]

 

Private jets, Bugatti cars, a shark-filled aquarium and enough bank accounts to paper the new luxury yacht - the extraordinary capacity of some African leaders and their families for apparent self-enrichment has been laid bare in a French lawsuit over allegedly stolen state money.

Following an inquiry last year by the French fraud body OCRGDF, an anti-corruption campaign group has accused a string of African politicians of plundering vast sums from the often struggling economies of their countries.

(edit)

The richest parts of France are teeming with homes, cars, boats and other expensive baubles belonging - in practice, at least - to tropical Africa's political elite.

(edit)

"There is still resistance in Europe to pursuing African clans (through the courts)", said William Bourdon, a lawyer from an international network of legal experts called Sherpa. "But one day their estate will have to be returned to African citizens," he told Libération newspaper.

Since the time of Charles de Gaulle, the "African cell" of the Elysée has kept close, often shadowy ties with Francophone African leaders known as "la FrançAfrique".

Personal ties between French and African leaders bound Paris to friendly regimes which were given protection in exchange for political allegiance, votes at the United Nations and deals with French firms that were lucrative for all sides.

(edit)

Before his election, President Nicolas Sarkozy indicated he wanted to distance himself from long-time dictators like Mr Bongo, calling for a "healthier relationship" with Africa.

But he appears to have changed his tune, sidelining a minister who declared FrançAfrique "dead". Mr Bongo was a guest at the Elysée palace last week.

[Stoat]

My apologies for posting such a severely-edited article....this was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic posting rules pertaining to articles from the UK Telegraph.  I had to excise a significant amount of text in order to be able to post here, so you will be missing quite a bit of the story if you don't click on the original article link.

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REUTERS

President Nguema's son has a $35 million mansion in Malibu

 

The slums of Malabo on the island of Bioko, the capital city of Equitorial Guinea

 

[applpie]

Soon...it will be like this all over the world if the liberals have their way. Or at least in the US! come on Pelosi....give away more of my money to the slackers.

[MissEdie]

This reminds me of the stories my husband told me about the corruption that followed the Live Aid concerts back in the 80’s. He said there were tv programs in England that exposed where the money actually went- what food was bought with the donations was left in warehouses to rot but the majority of it went on expensive liquor and other items for the country’s rulers.

[Abathar]

Yep, and didn't Congress just approve about $50 BILLION in aid to Africa a few weeks ago??

Our hard earned money going down the huge black hole that is the continent of Africa decade after decade after decade....

[davisfh]

If anyone with even a modicum of intellect were surprised at this revelation, I would be shocked. And yet we continue to bestow taxpayer largess on these thugs.

[Stoat]

Mr Nguema Jnr allegedly owns a Bugatti Veyron - dubbed the most powerful car in the world - which he bought for 1.1 million euros, as well as a Maserati MC 12 which cost him 709,000 euros.

Bugatti Veyron

 

Maserati MC-12

[B.O. Plenty]

There is a reason that Africa is known as the dark continent....

(oh damn, can I say that?)

[Proud_USA_Republican]

France recieves more than a 1/4 of the entire EU budget via farm subsidies.
They have a major financial interest in keeping African farming countries as destabled as possible.

[yarddog]

As soon as I saw that article, the first thing I thought was “I bet most of that money came from American taxpayers, or at least Western nations”.

[Seruzawa]

African DemoRAT Party leaders revel in largesse while people live in poverty. There. Fixed it.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Not according to the racist dems. Please report to your nearest Hillary re-education camp immediatly.

[davisfh]

If anyone with even a modicum of intellect were surprised at this revelation, I would be shocked. And yet we continue to bestow taxpayer largess on these thugs.

[JZelle]

Just beautiful! That car just dares you!

[Hoffer Rand]

This is why that global poverty bill 0bambi is trying to ram through congress is such a bad idea. $900 billion MORE than we already give in aid, and it's being funneled through the UN, which is even worse.

[Pearls Before Swine]

I’m glad someone said it (Obama’s program will be more of the same). Its enough to make me un-retire and work for the UN so I can recoup some of the money they’re giving away by robbing me through inflation and taxes.

[Chode]

the Veyron, is as ugly as it is powerful...

[Chode]

...AfricaWinsAgain

[Stoat]

the Veyron, is as ugly as it is powerful...

I suppose it may have a strong appeal if you happen to be an utterly corrupt and psychopathic African dictator, it is entirely paid for by the blood, sweat and immeasurable suffering of others, and it facilitates and enhances your dating opportunities with jet-setting whores.

[fanfan]

Are these the people sending me those emails?
I didn’t know they really had money!!!
I will write them back right away!
/sarc

Seriously, what hypocrites are the concerned leftists, when the rulers they revere live like that while children starve around them?

*sigh*

[Stoat]

This reminds me of the stories my husband told me about the corruption that followed the Live Aid concerts back in the 80’s. He said there were tv programs in England that exposed where the money actually went- what food was bought with the donations was left in warehouses to rot but the majority of it went on expensive liquor and other items for the country’s rulers.

If anyone is aware of any African aid organization that accepts individual, private donations and you are confident that the aid money goes directly to those in need with an absolute minimum of administrative overhead and circumvents local corruption, please feel free to post information about it here.