Africa–Europe: After Macron’s Remarks, URN Calls for a Partnership Based on Truth and Equity
The URN HITAMWONEZA organization is calling on Belgium to open its archives on the colonial past and is advocating for a reassessment of economic relations between Africa and Europe.
By the URN HITAMWONEZA Editorial Team
October 25, 2026
Relations between Africa and Europe are undergoing profound change. Tensions between France and several Sahel countries, together with growing debates over the exploitation of African resources, have revived a central question: can the partnership between the two continents continue to rely on old power imbalances?
On April 23, 2025, during an interview with TV5MONDE, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the deteriorating relations between France, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. He notably stated that France had paid “the price of poor political governance” in the Sahel.
The remarks triggered strong reactions in Africa and renewed debate over France’s and Europe’s historical presence on the continent. Several African countries are now calling for cooperation based on respect for their sovereignty, economic interests and political choices.
African resources remain undervalued
Africa possesses substantial natural resources, including uranium, oil, gas, gold, cobalt, copper, cocoa, coffee and timber. Yet a large proportion of these raw materials is still exported without sufficient local processing.
This situation limits job creation and the development of added value within the continent. In many cases, African products are processed abroad and later sold on international markets at significantly higher prices.
For URN HITAMWONEZA, this situation must change. African resources should be traded through transparent, balanced contracts that respect local communities. The organization also believes that producing countries must strengthen their negotiating capacity and develop their own industries.
However, responsibility does not rest solely with foreign partners. African governments must also improve governance, fight corruption, publish mining and energy contracts, and invest in education, infrastructure and local processing.
URN calls for dialogue with Belgium
In an open letter referenced 017/URN/2026, URN HITAMWONEZA addresses the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium. The organization calls for regional dialogue on shared history, security and the future of relations between Belgium and the peoples of the Great Lakes region.
The letter specifically calls for broader access to Belgian, regional, religious and international archives relating to the colonial period and the administration of Ruanda-Urundi.
According to URN, an independent study should examine the administrative, educational and social policies implemented during that period, as well as their effects on institutions, identities and relations between communities.
The organization proposes the creation of a historical commission comprising Burundian, Rwandan, Congolese, Belgian and international researchers. Its mandate, methodology and conclusions should be made public.
Establishing the facts without collective accusations
The letter also refers to several historical and political events that continue to raise questions in the region, including the assassination of Prince Louis Rwagasore, the death of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
URN is calling for these cases to be examined on the basis of archives, testimonies and available documentation. It nevertheless emphasizes that responsibility must be established through independent investigations and that no community should be held collectively responsible for the actions of particular individuals or groups.
The organization applies the same principle to the current situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It calls for the protection of all civilians, unhindered humanitarian access and impartial investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
Toward a new relationship between the two continents
For URN HITAMWONEZA, the transformation of relations between Africa and Europe should be based on three principles: historical truth, economic justice and respect for the sovereignty of African states.
Africa should no longer be viewed solely as a supplier of raw materials. It must be able to process its resources, create jobs and retain a larger share of the revenues generated by its wealth.
Europe, for its part, is being called upon to pursue a partnership based on equality, technology transfer, training, productive investment and fairer trade.
Africa is not asking for charity. It is asking for its resources to be recognized at their true value and for its history to be examined with rigor and honesty.
URN HITAMWONEZA
hitamwukuri.org
Editorial note: The remarks by Emmanuel Macron mentioned in this article refer to his interview with TV5MONDE on April 23, 2025. The positions expressed in the open letter represent those of URN HITAMWONEZA. Historical and security-related allegations should be verified through archives, independent investigations and reliable sources.
