Robert Bourgi (born April 4 1945 in Dakar) is a French-Lebanese businessman, politician and the recipient of the Legion of Honour. He is best known as a close confidante and adviser to several African leaders in former French colonial states, especially Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon. Bourgi was considered a major facilitator in what was known as Françafrique, France's sphere of influence over its former colonies in sub-Saharan Africa.[1] He was instrumental in maintaining the dense web of personal networks (or réseaux), a central feature of Françafrique, that held together the informal businesses and political relationships between French and African leaders. He was mentored by and succeeded one of the founding pillars of Francafrique, Jacques Foccart.[1][2]
.jpg)
In October 2024 he published a memoir, "They Know, I Know Everyhthing" with coauthor, political scientist Frédéric Lejeal.[3][4]
Early Life
editBourgi was born in Senegal in 1945 to Lebanese parents who came as textile traders.[5]
Bourgi married Corsican lawyer Catherine Vittori on December 7, 1972. They have three children.[6]
After studying at the Lycée Van-Vollenhoven in Dakar and studying law at the University of Nice and the University of Paris, he became a doctor of public law in 1978, his thesis subject was "De Gaulle and Africa", and a graduate degree in political science.[7] Bourgi went on to teach French law in Benin, Mauritania and then the Ivory Coast.[2]
French Politics
editFrom 1981 to 1996 Bourgi was the lead Africa policy delegate for Club 89, a French foreign policy think tank connected to the Gaulist Rassemblement pour la République.[1]
Bourgi was a fixture of France's Africa policy and politics. In 2011 Bourgi revealed how African regimes had funded the 2002 presidential campaign of Jacques Chirac[8]
Bourgi was involved inin a corruption scandal in 2017 when the favorite to win that years election, François Fillon, was accused of accepting two designer suits from Mr. Bourgi. Emmanuel Macron went on to win the election.[9]
Robert Bourgi was presented with the Legion of Honour – France’s highest civilian decoration – in September 2007, by President Nicolas Sarkozy[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c apofeed (2024-09-10). ""They know I know everything" - My life in Françafrique, Robert Bourgi, interviews with Frédéric Lejeal". African Business. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ a b c "Sarkozy aid 'comes clean' on murky African diplomacy". France 24. 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ apofeed (2024-09-10). ""They know I know everything" - My life in Françafrique, Robert Bourgi, interviews with Frédéric Lejeal". African Business. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Bourgi, Robert; Lejeal, Frédéric. "They Know, I Know Everything": My Life in French Africa. Max Milo. ISBN 978-2-315-02251-9.
- ^ "Prosecutor to investigate claims of cash from Africa". France 24. 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Déserts, Sophie des (2018-01-30). "Qui est vraiment Robert Bourgi, le tombeur de François Fillon ?". Vanity Fair (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ African, New (2018-04-16). "Controversial lawyer Robert Bourgi dishes the dirt on Françafrique". New African Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Harsch, Ernest (2017-10-15). Burkina Faso: A History of Power, Protest, and Revolution. Zed Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78699-138-6.
- ^ Schofield, Hugh (September 29, 2024). "France's Mr Africa spills the beans on secret cash". BBC. Retrieved November 24, 2024.