After consultations and intense insistence by French elites representing several sectors of the French people of various cultures, religions and origins, Mohamed Ayachi Ajroudi has decided to run in the French presidential elections scheduled in April 2022.
Ajroudi, aka "France's Trump", is a well-known businessman and politician who uses his African origins as a "successful weapon" to restore France's prestige in the European Union. Will the businessman, who comes from a Tunisian family, succeed in becoming the twelfth president of the Fifth French Republic?
Normally, given Ajroudi's Tunisian origins, one would wonder about the paradox of his bid to run for French presidency but not for Tunisian presidency, with Tunisia in chaos since the overthrow of the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Ajroudi’s answer was: “I have been working in business all my life, and I own dozens of companies and factories around the world, so I did not find enough time to engage in politics, despite my preoccupation with it. When I found Tunisia in need for my efforts in the wake of the “Distress” that erupted on December 17, 2010, or the so-called “Arab Spring”, I did not hesitate for a moment to offer my help to a country that is collapsing. That was not only because of my Tunisian identity, but also because I am of African origin, and I have previously confirmed in media interviews that my belonging to my African roots goes beyond my Tunisian identity.
As a national duty and also as a French citizen of a military family, I believe in the need to protect the common interests of the French Republic and the African continent, and through these efforts I seek to support African countries, reform relations with their peoples, and give priority to development and good governance in the Black Continent.”
Regarding his actions on some Tunisian issues, Ajroudi said that he first carried out his humanitarian duty, adding: “I hosted most of the Tunisians who were injured in the “artificial” revolution to receive treatment in one of France’s largest military hospitals. The proof that this revolution was “artificial” is that I hosted its wounded victims before and after the departure of the late Ben Ali from Tunisia and his settlement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where “snipers” continued to shoot young people. That’s how we fulfilled our humanitarian duty in Tunisia.”
As for his involvement in the Tunisian political arena, Ajroudi indicated that at the end of July 2013 he founded the “Tunisian Movement for Freedom and Dignity” and “The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet”, which was formed of 21 eminent figures. We “succeeded in getting four Tunisian organizations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015, namely; the Tunisian General Labor Union, Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), Tunisian Order of Lawyers, and the Tunisian Human Rights League. The award was in appreciation of the role played by The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet to make Tunisian national dialogue succeed, and put Tunisia on the path to democracy.
“The moves I made to support the Tunisian state had gained momentum at first, but then faced several obstacles due to the “planned” chaos that pervaded the country, so I decided to withdraw from political life, after some greedy politicians who lack the competence to run the state came to power. As a result, Tunisia lost the strengths with which we could build the economy and investor's confidence, as well as stability, security and tranquility,” Ajroudi added.
“My support for Tunisia since the outbreak of “December 17, 2010 Distress” until today was not intended for the presidency or any political position. My first goal has been the advancement of Tunisia, socially, economically and in the field of energy. Nevertheless, I liken the situation in Tunisia - despite the severe political, economic and social crises it is going through - to a patient who only suffers from a “headache”, and needs just a “Panadol” tablet to recover! I wrote a book entitled “How to Save Tunisia,” in which I presented a plan to “cure Tunisia.” It is a smooth and quick roadmap, but it requires the people’s solidarity with a conscious authority whom they trust,” Ajroudi continued.
FRANCE IN “INTENSIVE CARE UNIT”
As for the second part of Majalla’s question: Why did you decide to run for the French presidency? Ajroudi said: “If Tunisia, which witnessed my birth, does not need more than a “Panadol” tablet to recover, then France suffers from an incurable disease that brought it to the “intensive care unit” amid preoccupation with internal conflicts and the fight against the Covid-19 and its economic, political and social repercussions. Hence, after a deep reflection on the critical conditions that the Fifth Republic is going through and after extensive meetings and consultations with veteran French political, economic, cultural and academic elites who represent sectors of the French people with all its cultures, religions and origins, I decided to enter the presidential race.
I believe it is a duty of a citizen who grew up in France and studied in its schools and universities, in addition to my business, companies, experiences and the national family heritage that I carry. My grandfather, my father and my uncle, may God have mercy on them, were officers in the French army, and I was also a former officer in the merchant navy.”
In this context, Ajroudi referred to a “recent study published this week,” which he said “confirmed that 61 percent of the French people believe that France needs an urgent rescue.” He also added, “The most dangerous thing that France is currently facing is the spread of exclusionary racist discourse that resembles the Nazi discourse in – directed – media. This is a very dangerous rhetoric that is not appropriate for the long-standing democratic state of France. So the French media and policy makers should adopt a discourse that supports pluralism and partnership among all citizens and whoever resides on the French territories without discrimination.”
He went on, “Media transmits a rhetoric charged with hostility, hatred and accusations that threaten national unity and warn of unprecedented internal divisions. As a result, it is noted during the past three years, that the economic and social crises in the Republic have worsened. The number of anti-state rallies, demonstrations and protest strikes against the reform of the labor law, the retirement law, yellow vests protests, and other opposition movements are mobilized by well-known hands from behind the scenes for personal gains.”
Ajroudi referred to the French presidential candidates saying: “Look at the promises of some presidential candidates who adopt a policy of exclusion and factional, racist and brutal rhetoric, especially on refugees and non-French citizens.” He also added, “France’s interests have been shaken in a large number of European countries, and we are witnessing French-British tensions, and doubts about the steadfastness of the German-French axis in the European Union after the departure of Angela Merkel, in addition to the shaken relations between France and the countries of the region after the apparent decline of France’s historical role in resolving regional conflicts, particularly in Ankara, Athens and Nicosia.
Moreover, France entered into a conflict with Turkey and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which led to a dispute and exchange of accusations between both Macron and Erdogan. This also includes the shrinking role of France in addressing the crisis in Syria and Lebanon. The Lebanese viewed President Macron as a savior after his visit to the port of Beirut following the explosion in August 2020 and his promises of immediate reforms and financial, economic and political support, but most of these promises were not fulfilled.
“France is also absent from the Arab–Israeli conflict, however, many politicians and some presidential candidates are delusional that France is still the influential country in the region of North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean, and this is not true. Yet, France can return to its former glory as an active force on the international scene through the reforms that I propose in my electoral platform.”
“In my opinion, France should redraw its domestic policy under the slogan "France for all", and externally in the light of global economic and political changes and the preservation of strategic and historical alliances,” Ajroudi added.
FRANCE AND AFRICA
Ajroudi did not forget French-African relations, saying: “I consider myself the son of the European and African continents, and through my work around the world, I consider myself a friend to the peoples of the entire world. I believe that restoring balance to the French discourse along with solidarity, cooperation and partnership inside and outside France is the only way to save the country and get it out of the ICU. In the event that I come to power, I will begin by restoring balance and consideration to French-African relations as an inevitable first step.”
On the other hand, Ajroudi referred to the measures taken by President Macron to improve relations with the countries of the African continent by increasing aid, returning the artifacts that were looted during the French wars and military campaigns on those countries, and strengthening French relations with civil society organizations in some countries. In addition, Macron supported the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in an attempt to defend electoral politics in the face of military domination, and publically acknowledged in Rwanda, France's failure to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the 1994 genocide. He also held an African-French summit last October in Montpellier, which was not attended by presidents and was limited to the participation of activists and stakeholders, including more than a thousand young Africans amid tensions between France, Algeria and Mali. Macron wanted to hold the summit to revive the relationship with Africa in various economic, political and cultural fields, but all these measures came "too late", as Ajroudi told Majalla.
“All these attempts and meetings were static and were just promises and meetings that did not effectively come out to the ground and was tangible to African citizens. France is still in the crosshairs of aggressive African arrows that still suffer injustice and congestion due to French arrogance throughout history - as an African thinker says, ‘Many of us lived through the times of colonialism and its bitterness.’” Ajroudi added.
“In the recent past, Nicolas Sarkozy began his term in office with an arrogant and insulting statement in which he said, ‘The African man has not entered history yet’; If France continues this arrogant approach in dealing with the countries of the African continent, at least 14 Francophone countries will separate from it,” Ajroudi continued.
FRANCE AND NIGER
Since the 1970s, France has focused on peaceful nuclear energy of uranium as an alternative to petroleum in the wake of the oil crisis in 1973, when Prime Minister Pierre Messmer announced in 1974 what became known as the "Messmer Plan" for nuclear energy, noting that most of France's electricity during the period of the oil crisis came from foreign oil.
Since France began extracting Niger’s uranium, which supplies 35 per cent of its nuclear energy needs, it has become the world's second producer of CO2-free nuclear energy, after America. France has 58 nuclear plants that produce about 75 per cent of its electricity. At least 222,000 people are employed in the French nuclear energy sector, according to estimates by the National Nuclear Energy Society.
About this important relationship with Niger, Ajroudi warned "very strongly" of the repercussions of the thorny relations between France and Niger, the main source of uranium, which "constitute a special position in the country’s national security strategy, and I fear that (if mishandled) France - without any exaggeration - will return to the Middle Ages!" he remarked.
In this context, Ajroudi referred to what happened a few days ago when demonstrators in Tira, Tillaberi region (western Niger), intercepted a convoy of French troops heading to Mali under the escort of the National Gendarmerie, and the convoy was stuck in Burkina Faso for more than a week due to anti-French demonstrations, and after negotiations with the demonstrators, it was able to resume its trip to Niger.
“The relationship between Paris and Niamey deteriorated in light of the growing American and Chinese influence in Niger, according to a development formula applied by Beijing in Africa, where infrastructure and money were exchanged for oil resources and minerals,” Ajroudi said.
It should be noted in this context that Niger ranks second in the world uranium production after Kazakhstan, following the discovery of the Imouraren mine - which is expected to produce five thousand tons annually over the next 35 years.
ELECTION PROGRAM
After we proceeded with the electoral argument and talked about the candidates for the French presidential elections, we asked Ajroudi about his election platform, and he said: “I do not have a party to which I belong, but I honestly bet on the will of the French people with all its components and categories, who seek to live in peace away from racism. I seek to unite everyone who resides on French soil. Our strength is in our unity. History bears witness that the Arabs and Africans were the ones who supported France in all of its wars, and if it were not for the Arabs and Africans, we would have been speaking German today, and French would have vanished. I am betting on this active force in the country, not on paid media, parties, or groups. The parties are looking at their interests, and I have no interests, and I warn that there is a very dangerous tsunami coming from abroad that could cause a civil war.” Ajroudi said.
Regarding the media, he said, “Media in France no longer represents the state or the voice of the people. It has rather become a tool for businessmen to buy it for supporting their interests at the expense of the state,” Ajroudi told Majalla.
Speaking of businessmen, being one of them, he said: “Although I am a businessman, I accuse some opportunistic businessmen who spend hundreds of millions to sow chaos and spread Nazi rhetoric to distract public opinion from their corruption and the people’s vital issues, so I appeal to them to view the interest of the Republic and the French people and not their interests, before it is too late.”
“It is enough for me to have my Arab-African name on the list of candidates in this electoral campagin, and I will not ask for support from any one or any party. I have a clear and explicit program to save and reunite France. I am sure that the free French people want the welfare of their country, and I am not running in the elections as an Arab and Muslim. I only speak a common language, a language that unites the state and supports what belongs to France. Freedom and respect for the culture and beliefs of others are the basis of the French people’s life. Therefore, I will not allow persecution of any religion or belief.” Ajroudi added.
Regarding Islam, Ajroudi said: “I am with moderate Islam based on the non-debatable basic principles of the Qur’an. When the explosions occurred in France and Belgium, I and some friends invited a number of imams from all over the Arab and Islamic world and Africa, and toured the world to apologize for the crimes and killings that took place, and they expressed the true face of Islam that believes in coexistence and love for the other.”
FRANCE’S REFORM PLAN
The French government constructed residential neighborhoods in the 1950s, after World War II. The aim was to promote social citizenship, in order to bridge the gap between French citizens in accordance with their social and economic level and among the poorest, who therefore regarded their transition to it as a social promotion. But after the urban expansion during 1980s, the picture changed and the intended neighborhoods became symbolic of social marginalization of immigrants and minorities, and various forms of violence and rebellion emerged.
Ayachi Ajroudi reflected on this social marginalization saying: “There are twenty-five million citizens of African and Arab origins, including about five million people, or 7.5 percent of the French people, who are marginalized and live in places that lack services and care, and where randomness, chaos and violence prevail. The slums must be reconstructed, and the housing should not be based on identity, color, race or religion. This is one of the simplest human rights.
Poverty in these regions is three times higher than its level in other regions, while illiteracy is four times higher - according to the National Observatory of Sensitive Urban Areas - and the unemployment rate is 24 percent, compared to about 10 percent at the national level. As a result, the phenomenon of violence spread among citizens residing in suburbs inhabited by a majority of immigrants.
Therefore, I strongly warn of the specter of social rift that threatens peace and warns of more violence among the people of the same country because of the unfair geographical division. And I call, through my campaign, to assume responsibility, to confront this grave danger.”
THE FRENCH RIGHT, MIGRANT CRISIS, AND MINORS
As for some candidates from the French right, Ayachi Ajroudi said: “I am not against right-wing candidates if they are defending the entity of the state, and this goes without doubt. My national role is to warn against the extreme right if it endangers the state and pushes it into chaos. The French Right, for example, calls for the construction of prisons for children and minor immigrants who carry out acts that violate the laws of the state from the age of ten, and I say no. Rather, you should enlist them in the army, enroll them in boarding schools and change their behavior, or teach them crafts where craftsmanship is scarce in France.
So why do not we rehabilitate these young children and youth, educate them, train them, and bring them out as good workforce that will help in the renaissance of this country? We must take care of immigrants and give them all their rights as long as you give them the right to live in France, so that they become citizens eligible for full rights and due duties. Moreover, we must take care of their children. If we put immigrant children and minors in prison, we are creating time bombs and raising enemies inside the country, as soon as they get out of prison, he will be charged with hatred and violence and ready for revenge,” Ajroudi explained.
EDUCATION AND EQUALITY
Ayachi Ajroudi was interested in highlighting some aspects of his electoral program, which he would implement first if he won the elections, he said: “If I succeed in the upcoming presidential elections, my first decision will be equality in education where all people will have access to schools. That education would be in the indigenous languages of the population, and not only in French, in pursuit of equality for all. Just as no religion is better than another, no language is better than another. Colleges and universities will be available to all without exception according to efficiency without any other considerations.”
“The second decision is health care and reforming the health sector, especially after Covid-19 has uncovered major shortcomings in health services. As for the third decision, it would follow a unified management approach, where each region hands over management to private companies i.e. privatization, and follow a swift management response in decision-making,” Ajroudi added.
APOLOGY TO ALGERIA
It was not possible to leave Ajroudi without asking about the French apology for Algeria, to which he said: “Peace, tolerance and coexistence are my main means in dealing with all people, and I will apologize immediately to every country that was under the protection of France one day. A public apology should have been made to those countries, foremost of which is Algeria. I am surprised that sixty years after the end of the Algerian war, the National Assembly in France (Parliament) at the end of last month began discussing a bill to apologize to the Algerian activists who fought alongside the French army and lived a tragedy in France after the end of war. The project is a legal translation of President Emmanuel Macron’s speech, which he delivered on September 20 at the Élysée Palace in the presence of representatives of the Harkis, and represents a test to France’s conscience in the face of the ‘Harkis Tragedy’. All while Macron refuses to apologize for his country’s colonial history in Africa, and the official and popular Algerian anger is still insisting that the French president offer an official apology to their country,” Ajroudi said.
ABRAHAM ACCORDS AND FRANCE’S TRUMP
On the recent peace agreements between Israel and some Arab countries, Ajroudi said, “Since the late Muhammad Anwar Sadat concluded the peace agreement with Israel, I have been dreaming of completing his path in advancing the peace process in the region, and if I assumed power, I would invite the Arab League to the negotiating table with Israel to conclude a comprehensive and final agreement between the Arabs and the Israelis and to present the optimal solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. With my full support for Abraham Accords and for the efforts made by US President Trump, I believe that it is necessary to follow the path of the brave Sadat, and I consider that peace has been launched since that day, the peace of the brave. Arab-Israeli peace is a necessity for the development of the region, its security and its future. I made a peace initiative before when I was a member of the African Union regarding the Libyan case, and I gathered all the tribal chiefs and took them in my plane to Congo, and thankfully things were settled.”
FRANCE, SAUDI ARABIA, AND EGYPT
Ayachi Ajroudi, a possible candidate in the upcoming French presidential elections, referred to the recent developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by saying, “I have lived for many years in Saudi Arabia, and whoever lived in the kingdom before the rule of King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be amazed at the scale of development and change that have occurred on the land of the Two Holy Mosques.”
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is an inspiring young man who has given his people what they aspire to. He made many vital decisions politically, economically and socially. Before that, Saudi Arabia was completely dependent on oil. The social system was far from the youth, who represented about 70 percent of the Saudi population. Through his vision, he granted women their rights all at once in an unprecedented bold step. He has diversified the economy, built new cities, tourist and archaeological sites, and held artistic events in Jeddah and Riyadh, and got rid of dark extremist ideas with moderate intellectual and religious guidance. I think that the relationship between the Kingdom and France is witnessing its brightest period during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” Ajroudi remarked.
“Egypt is fortunate to have President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A friend who is a French officer and lived in Egypt told me that during his work in the navy, when a ship left the Suez Canal to Alexandria to reach Ismailia, it would stop in the Great Bitter Lake from one to two days, but after Sisi inaugurated the Suez Canal expansion project, which deepens and expands the waterway of the Suez Canal by providing a waterway parallel to the passage of ships with a length of 35 km, all traffic problems have ended and the navigation movement has become very fast. This is what I witnessed personally, and it is a mighty and legendary work that President Sisi will be remembered for in history,” Ajroudi told Majalla.
As for the other colossal act – as Ajroudi said- it is that “President al-Sisi eliminated all terrorist organizations, at the forefront of which is the Muslim Brotherhood. Islam is innocent of this extremist group and its likes, which abuse religions, such as Hamas which serves Israeli extremists but not the Palestinian cause.”
ROLE OF WOMEN IN AJROUDI’S LIFE
Concluding his interview with Majalla, Engineer Ayachi Ajroudi talked about the role of woman in his life, “I was raised by a woman. My father was an army officer and he died when I was 14, leaving us with seven brothers. Our mother raised us on good principles. We have all succeeded in our lives thanks for the personality of this woman. God has honored me with the mother of my children who is not interested in politics, but stands by our interests. The role of women is the foundation of life. I will do everything in my power to reform the situation of women in France if I win the presidential seat. I promise women that they will finally have full and complete equality in wages as well as in their careers.”
