2024-04-04 03:54:44
The transfer of power took place on March 1 in Yaoundé. Yvon Sana, a Central African national, was officially inaugurated governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), replacing Chadian Abbas Mahamat Tolli. The opportunity to question the still central role of France in this flagship institution.
An unsurprising takeover
The appointment of Yvon Sana is not really a surprise. Aged 50, this senior executive had already been part of the walls of the BEAC for almost 20 years. A specialist in IT systems, he previously held the position of Central Director of Information Systems at the central bank.
This means that he knows the complex workings of this regional institution inside out, where his mission will be to consolidate monetary and financial stability. He will be supported in his task by 5 other directors general from CEMAC member countries.
But what are these French people doing on the board?
If the choice of the new governor reflects a form of internal meritocracy, his room for maneuver risks being hampered by the still significant weight of France in the decision-making bodies.
Indeed, neither the BEAC nor the Central African Economic Union (UEAC) operate without the approval of Paris. Proof of this is that two French administrators sit on the board of directors of the central bank alongside the 12 other African representatives.
A relic of the colonial past against which Governor Sana is called to speak out, in the name of the economic sovereignty of member states. He will have a lot to do to unravel these links of dependence which restrict the emancipation of the CEMAC zone. But the game is worth it!