Chirac upbeat over Africa's future
French President Jacques Chirac has expressed optimism about Africa's future, saying he does not belong to the school of Afro-pessimists who continue to paint a bad picture of the continent.
Speaking at a news conference at the Africa-Europe summit in Cairo Tuesday, Chirac said: "A school of Afro- pessimists has recently developed in Europe and elsewhere. I have never been a member of that school... never."
According to Chirac, the members of that school "are mistaken and have failed to see reality."
"The shadow they were interested in was but a smokescreen," the French president added.
He said for the past 10-15 years, Africa has recorded an average annual economic growth rate of five percent.
"For the first time in its history, we can say that Africa's economic growth is higher than its population growth," Chirac explained.
"The Afro-pessimists will realize that they harmed Africa because they are developing a climate of mistrust towards a region which should inspire trust, notably among investors."
Chirac also commended Africa's progress in the area of democracy, despite a few hitches.
