The new Italian Right Wing Government has exposed France's exploitative colonial policies against African countries, that are fueling poverty and migration in the continent.
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister , Luigi Di Malo, and Right -Wing Interior Minister , Matteo Salvini have at several occasions alleged the France of exploiting Africa and fueling migration. They both called on the European Union and United Nation to impose sanctions on France for its policies in Africa.
Ever since Italy's Five Star and League parties came to power in June 2018 relations have been tense.
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| French president Emmanuel Macron meets Mali’s president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in Mali |
Much of the tension has been about migration. The two countries have argued over France sending back migrants across Italy's northern border.
When France criticised Italy for not allowing rescue boats carrying migrants in the Mediterranean to dock , Italy responded by accusing France itself of refusing to accept migrants. But the rows have spilled into other areas.
Mr Di Malo speaking on Sunday, alleged that France had "never stopped colonising tens of African states".
Italy's populist leadership has repeatedly clashed with France in recent months, on issues such as migration, protests and culture.
Mr Di Malo, leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S) has found common cause with France's "gilets jaunes" protesters, urging them not to give up and offering them "the support you need".
He made his latest comments during a visit to central Italy at the weekend.
It came as the UN said about 170 migrants were feared drowned in two separate Mediterranean shipwrecks.
"The EU should impose sanctions on France and all countries like France that impoverish Africa and make these people leave, because Africans should be in Africa, not at the bottom of the Mediterranean.
"If people are leaving today it's because European countries, France above all, have never stopped colonising dozens of African countries," he said.
He further revealed that if it wasn't for Africa, France would rank 15th among world economies, not in the top six.
The unrepentant Italian Labour and Economy minister, has gone further to accuse France of manipulating the economies of African countries that use the CFA franc, a Colonial-era currency backed by the French treasury.
"France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our coasts.
"If Europe wants to be brave, it must have the courage to confront the issue of decolonisation in Africa," Di Malo said.
On his part, Right-wing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini appeared to intensify it, condemning France's Emmanuel Macron as a "terrible president".
Salvini accused France last week of harbouring 14 "terrorists" wanted by Italy, after a fugitive ex-militant was extradited from Bolivia. He said they should be sent back to Italy to end up in jail, rather than "quaffing champagne under the Eiffel Tower".
The Italian Interior Minister labelled France as "one of those countries" that take Africa's wealth away.
On Tuesday, the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tried to soothe the row, highlighting the two countries' "solid friendship".
Earlier on Monday, the France’s foreign Ministry summoned Italy's Ambassador, Teresa Castaldo, after the Italian deputy prime minister accused the French of exploiting Africa and fueling migration.
The French diplomatic sources quoted by Italian news agency Ansa called Mr Di Maio's remarks "hostile and without cause given the partnership between France and Italy in the European Union".
The Editorials gathered that 14 African countries are obliged by France, trough a colonial pact, to put 85% of their foreign reserve into France central bank under French minister of Finance control.
Meanwhile, Togo and about 13 other African countries still pay colonial debt to France. African leaders who refuse are killed or victim of coup. Those who obey are supported and rewarded by France with lavish lifestyle while their people endure extreme poverty, and desperation.
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