Our friend and consultant Macaire Dagry sends us this contribution which we are very pleased to publish. The debate is open…
Let us remember the immense global hope sparked by the rise to power of the first Black President of the United States of America. He had all the attributes to unite people around him and give hope to millions of individuals who identified with him. For populations under dictatorship, he represented the possibility of a radical change in policy, especially social and economic, towards a more humane future.
Across the world, this anticipation crystallized a need for revolutionary evolution in mindsets and societies. Obama’s almost “divine” election sowed the seeds of democracy, and individual and collective freedoms often repressed by despotic powers with the unhealthy complicity of Western economic and political powers. This African-American, accused of being a Muslim by political detractors, thus paved the way for all “possibilities”. Suddenly, everything seemed naturally achievable if Bush’s America, which had so “demonized” Muslims since September 11, 2001, perjured itself by electing one of them. It illustrated that just wanting it to happen could make it possible through the will of the popular masses. The global unpopularity of G.W. Bush, particularly in Arab and Muslim countries, greatly contributed to this “global revolution”.
The democratic revolution through communication tools of new information technologies
Millions of individuals worldwide created an extraordinary dynamic in their support for this African-American with whom they identified. He epitomized their desire to escape their deplorable social conditions. The trivialization of widespread unemployment and precariousness among the working classes and disadvantaged social groups was also a powerful driver of adherence to this campaign slogan. Young, overqualified individuals, desperate over social inequalities, massive corruption among their leaders, lack of freedom, and particularly depressed by an uncertain future, placed high hopes on his “Yes, we can”. This victory of Obama was somewhat their own. It illuminated their dismal, miserable lives, lacking any future prospects. They believed in it and awaited its effects in their daily lives. Beyond this victory of this “American brother”, it was, above all, that of an international community of people realizing a tremendous “democratic revolution” against intolerance and wars for oil control in Arab countries.
This democratic revolution resulting in Obama winning the White House was largely made possible through communication tools of new information technologies. Obama was unknown in his country and the world. He had no powerful network that could contribute to his election, as is often the case in elections. His African heritage and his past as a Muslim posed significant challenges in winning the primaries and subsequently the presidential election. Therefore, one had to find means to create a powerful dynamic around his candidacy to overcome these weaknesses. His proximity to struggling youth, whom he was responsible for in Chicago when he was an educator, allowed him to remain “connected” with their favorite communication modes. Thus, the Internet and mobile phones were determining elements in his various campaigns to achieve this.
Through these communication tools of new information technologies, Barack Obama skillfully generated enthusiasm for his candidacy. His targets were essentially young people, and populations seeking hope, and all those rejecting Bush’s warlike policies. Aware of this media power, now used by youth in Arab countries during their “democratic revolution”, the Obama administration, through Mrs. Hillary Clinton, has just added to its strategic diplomatic missions the “rights of expression, assembly, and association online”. Thus, social networks Facebook, Twitter, and the Internet via mobiles have just been legitimized as determining “actors tools” in the fight for people’s emancipation and freedom. To strengthen these American strategic positions in controlling the events that are currently shaking the Arab world, the American president recently met with several leaders of major new technology companies during a meeting in San Francisco, California, on February 17. In this summit, B. Obama notably discussed with Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Eric Schmidt, from Google, and Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of the social network Facebook. He is also preparing his future re-election through his consultations.
We still remember his famous Cairo speech
We still remember his famous Cairo speech with that Arabic greeting that brought excitement to the entire Arab and Muslim world and grated on the nerves of Israeli leaders. This Cairo speech moved the “cursors” and gave a great breath of fresh air to the Arab world, which was stigmatized by G. Bush and likened to the “devil” since the horrific September 11, 2001 attacks. Finally, a form of recognition of the Arab people by this America wounded by cowardice considerably changed the face of its relations with the West. This gesture by Obama daringly and courageously initiated a form of reconciliation with the Western world, indispensable for stability in the region, especially towards Israel.
We also remember B. Obama’s speech in Accra, his only visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Once again, he found powerful words to express the need for democracy and freedom for the peoples of Black Africa. He stated determinedly that “African countries do not need strongmen, they need strong institutions.” These words were followed by actions. His administration became fully involved in the post-electoral crisis in Kenya, as well as in the Ivorian electoral process. After five years without an election in Côte d’Ivoire, repeatedly postponed, the Obama administration managed to influence the various agreements led by the UN so that this election finally took place. Two and a half years after the President Obama came to power, the much hoped-for change by these people is struggling to materialize. On the contrary, the situation of these millions of individuals who believed that this “Yes, we can” of this “American brother” could change their pitiful and deplorable social conditions has worsened. Aware of the power of these communication tools of new information technologies that contributed to the overmediatization of candidate Obama, these young people are using them in turn for their own “democratic revolution” in the Arab world.
By positioning themselves for the “rights of expression, assembly, and association online”, the Obama administration effectively invests in the French sphere of influence, abandoned by France, which it now controls. With the end of the “françafrique” announced by Sarkozy, which gave considerable weight to France in the world, appetites are opening, and predators are rushing in. Some to contribute to the economic development of these countries, according to the official discourse. This is the case, for example, with China, India, or Russia. For others, like the USA, this is done through the establishment of democracy and freedoms. This American strategy also makes it possible to better control, even limit, the breakthroughs of emerging countries on the African continent, while reinforcing its gains in the Middle East.
This revolution led by Obama’s “Yes, we can” has not yet finished spreading like a shock wave in non-democratic states, thereby changing the various systemic forces in place. Who would have thought that communication tools of new information technologies could defeat the most entrenched and bloodiest dictatorships on the planet? The effects of this “democratic revolution” are already causing concern among African and world dictators who had thought of remaining in power for life and ensuring their succession through their progeny.
Macaire DAGRY
