The French government assured on the evening of Thursday, September 14 that it had not asked for "any deprogramming of artist" from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, in the face of the emotion aroused by a note from the administration raising fears of a suspension of all cultural exchanges with these countries.

Cultural professionals have sounded the alarm, via the Syndicat national des entreprises artistique et culturelles (Syndeac) and its counterparts, the Aac, the Accn, the A-CDCN, the ACDN and the ASN.

In question, a message they say they received the day before from the regional directorates of culture (Drac). These represent the Ministry of Culture and are responsible for conducting the State's cultural policy in the regions and departments.

This message, "written on the instructions of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs" according to the unions, and which AFP was able to consult, states that "all cooperation projects that are carried out (...) with institutions or nationals of these three countries must be suspended, without delay, and without any exception".

"All financial support must also be suspended, including via French structures, such as associations for example. In the same way, no invitation from any national of these countries should be issued," the message continues.

This message was "relayed by all the Drac", told AFP an official of that of Occitanie, interviewed by phone.

Indignation of cultural actors and the left

Enough to arouse the anger of cultural actors: "This total ban on three countries going through very serious crises obviously makes no sense from an artistic point of view and is a major mistake from a political point of view. It is quite the opposite that should be done, "said the Syndeac in a statement.

"This policy of banning the movement of artists and their works has never prevailed in any other international crisis, from the most recent with Russia, to the oldest and most lasting, with China," he added.

On the left, several officials were indignant.

"Artists are the expression of freedom. This decision of the Quai d'Orsay to prohibit programming in France artists from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, is absurd. How are they responsible for coups in their countries?" said Socialist Party boss Olivier Faure.

"Silencing culture, condemning artists to silence, as if they were responsible for internal conflicts or between countries is a serious mistake," the communist and overseas elected officials said in a statement. Jean-Luc Mélenchon mocked the "Ministry of Cultural Inquisition".

"Security reasons"

Questioned, the services of Minister Rima Abdul-Malak worked to clear the ground Thursday evening, stressing that it was not a question of deprogramming artists, but of drawing the consequences of the suspension of visa issues in Niamey, Ouagadougou and Bamako "for security reasons", which affects all nationals and not only artists.

These same reasons have also led to the suspension of "the implementation in these countries of our cultural cooperation actions," the ministry said.

" READ ALSO Coup d'état in Niger: the France suspends its aid

Questioned by AFP, the ministry assured that it had not asked for "any deprogramming of artists, of any nationality whatsoever".

"This decision does not affect people who hold visas issued before that date or who reside in France or other countries," he added.

"The cultural sphere is impacted like the others by the closure of consular and security services," a source close to the case told AFP.

On 29 July, the France suspended all its development aid and budget support operations with Niger and on 6 August with Burkina Faso. In November 2022, it had already done so for Mali.

With AFP

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