Original subtitles

- Who are you? - I'm Zegue Bamba.

- Are you a witness? - Yes.

Bei!

Would the court usher...

ask the gentleman to remove his hat?

Tell him it's not his turn yet. He'll get his chance to speak.

He can wait in the courtroom.

Words are something...

They can seize you in your heart.

It's bad if you keep them inside.

You can say what you have in your heart when the time comes.

Since he hasn't asked you to speak,

stop now and sit down.

It doesn't matter...

He says he understands.

The goat has its ideas but so does the hen.

When you come for something,

you have to do it.

You must know why you're here.

But coming and leaving without speaking...

Tell him to speak to the court.

You haven't been asked to speak.

Go and sit down. Your chance will come.

They're just asking you to wait.

I'll give him back his word.

My words won't remain within me.

All right. Thank you.

Chaka...

Ina has a temperature.

Mum...

I'm fine.

I'm okay.

Yes, everything's fine.

I just have a cold.

She's asleep.

I'm coming back to Dakar.

The railway brought Africa its emancipation.

That's the role of labour regulations in Africa.

It awoke political awareness.

The World Bank is throwing all that out with the trash.

Our identity, your identity, our history, your history.

What are your feelings when you witness this disaster?

I don't care...

You complicate things too.

Here, take this.

The hearing has resumed, please sit down.

If you go in, you're not filming! No one films here.

Bei!

I'm singing late tonight.

- Hello, Boire, how are you? - Hello.

It is stated that the share of our states' budgets

devoted to social services and to the repayment of the debt

is set as follows between 1992 and 1997.

We have examined a few countries.

I shall use those examples.

In Kenya, when the national budget allocated 12.6%

to the basic social services, health, education

and infrastructure,

40% of that same budget was devoted to repayment of foreign debt.

In Zambia, when 6.7%

was spent on basic social services,

40% was again used to pay off the debt.

In Cameroon, it's even worse.

4% of the budget was spent on basic social services

while 36% was used to pay off the debt.

To take a concrete example,

of the 200 billion CFA francs in Cameroon's budget,

only 8 billion was spent on basic social services

while, at the same time, 72 billion left the country to pay off the debt.

How do you feel about these figures

that are particularly disastrous for African peoples?

See that policeman there?

He's not a good man.

I'm a criminologist, see.

You work for the police?

I just take photos for them.

When there are crimes, murders or accidents,

I take photos.

Does this mean, in these Burkina Faso peasants' words,

that Africa at last accepts globalization

and simply asks that the rules

be fair, transparent and valid for all?

The relationship is governed by lies, hypocrisy and cynicism.

Everything is done to make sure

Africans are unaware of the system's rapacity.

That is what I denounce when I say

the impetus is northern but the theft is local,

done with our complicity.

I make a little money that way,

like with weddings.

There's another market now.

Funerals.

There's money in that.

The faces of people who talk don't interest me.

There's no truth in them.

I prefer the dead.

They're truer.

Firstly, I strongly oppose the idea

that Africa's key characteristic is her poverty.

She is the victim of her riches.

I would rather we talk about pauperization

than poverty.

In talking of pauperization, you pinpoint the mechanisms

and Bush is at the heart of them.

Bush is the conductor.

Therefore, I don't see...

why he is complaining.

I say that the West has created and imposed two fears on itself:

Terrorism and immigration.

Let's stay calm.

We must stop presenting

the problems' causes as the solution.

Everything can be sold or bought.

Today, a sick woman in a village risks dying

because the nurse who has the medicine

won't treat her because she can't pay.

That is what it has come to, what we've learned from the system.

In other words, pay or die. That's the West's lesson

that we inflict on ourselves.

And, personally, I think

that what Africa needs to do now

is to make an effort to pull herself together.

Along with the West, we are caught up

in striving for a society that we can't attain.

Our public services have been sold off.

We could have developed a control system for the administrators,

brought the necessary pressure to bear,

and denounced the profiteers.

We have accepted it at times. If you had a well-placed relative,

you were happy to profit from the system with him.

How can we take back our assets? That's a major political issue.

Death is good.

Nothing's better than death.

Your suggestion is that you pull yourself together.

That's a fine idea, a wide-ranging and abstract idea,

but it isn't a programme.

After this first remark, I would like

to take two examples that will provide striking proof

that your ideas...

- Can you get to the point? - Right away.

For instance, I have heard Maitre Tall provide figures

and you have approved them. What figures?

My esteemed colleague, you said earlier,

"We are given 54 billion

"and, in actual fact, we have to pay back 436 billion."

Do you know, madame,

that, for Mali, we plan to give up

the sum of 1.42 billion CFA francs

that represents 60% of the debt?

Are you aware of that fact?

I'm aware of that act of deception and...

Madame Traore, please address the court.

It was decided at Gleneagles, during the G8 summit,

as part of a so-called cancellation of the debt.

Firstly, we consider,

given the interest rates applied,

that Africa has paid off this debt

and owes nothing more to these institutions.

Secondly, we say

that the disastrous nature of economic policies

in which only borrowed money was invested

without any benefit to the people of Mali and Africa,

is a moral wrong that didn't even require

this "good deed" by the G8.

But, above all, I wish to say that this 1.42 billion

is not fresh money injected into Mali's economy.

What we need today

is fresh money in order to create jobs and to invest.

We haven't even mentioned corruption yet.

I feel that the correct use of our own resources

could safeguard us today

from this manipulation of opinion

that presents a false cancellation as a true one.

We shall perhaps be able to save a few billion each year

as part of the debt we're paying off.

But this decision has done more

to improve the G8's image than to actually help Africa.

True, I haven't put forward a programme

but that isn't my intention.

I would simply like a critical mass of Africans

to know more about the reasons why we are in this position.

Your Honour, I agree with the witness.

Writers don't put forward programmes.

And I also agree that writers

should denounce what they are able to observe.

They can express their personal feelings and thoughts.

But you abandoned that role just now, madame.

You presented yourself, on this stand, as an expert.

You tackled specific issues,

you spoke about the debt,

you said the debt impoverishes Africa, a moot point,

and that its cancellation, as you just said,

is of no consequence.

I am a citizen of this country,

with my feet firmly grounded in the realities of this country.

Being a writer doesn't mean I don't have a certain expertise

at dealing with aggressive stances

in an open debate

on issues that I experience from the inside.

But this money comes with a proviso.

It forces the hand of 18 countries

to make them speed up the structural reforms

that benefit the North.

But I'm not only fighting for subsidies.

I'm fighting for the possibility for a country like Mali

to produce cotton if it wishes or not, but to earn its living.

A living to sell what?

That's why this issue goes way beyond Africa.

Why should the fate of people depend

on their ability to produce and sell abroad?

China's expansion must be integrated into the debate.

Your own countries tremble before China. What will Mali do?

I believe that cotton production has had its day.

Besides, with the prices of products

that come from China and copy our textiles,

there is no major stake for us in the cotton debate.

"In an inevitably open world,

"we must civilize globalization

"and give it a meaning."

What do you think of those words?

Can progress be made or not during the globalization process?

For example, if the standards enforced

by the ILO were made general, would that be good or bad?

Or would that merely oppress the Africans even more?

I strongly oppose your starting point: "the open world".

We don't live in an open world, Mr Rappaport.

The words you just read

provide an eloquent answer to the questions that you ask.

If globalization needs to be improved and civilized,

that means it "decivilizes" and dehumanizes.

Today, we see Africans who opt for emigration,

who are economic refugees,

arrested, handcuffed, deported, humiliated and sent back home.

How can you claim, given that terrible situation

that shocks the whole world, that we live in an open world?

It's clearly open for whites but not for blacks.

I'm a witness.

Madou Keita isn't on the list.

Step back.

Our countries are not imploding today

because, on a domestic level,

the women play an important role.

That is why they must refuse to be imprisoned

within the conventional interpretation of the situation

that says they are victims of their culture, society and men.

The men are in trouble, the women too.

We have to work together.

- Where's the mirror? - Here it is.

Very pretty.

I'll do you a good price.

You all say that.

Some darker ones.

They're by Gucci, an Italian designer.

Where's the Gucci logo?

It's top quality.

Where's the logo?

They're by Gucci.

So where's the logo?

Falai...

That's not the same policeman.

The one there before

fell asleep during the break.

He said his gun has vanished.

An officer's investigating.

He suspects me.

Raise your right hand and swear to tell nothing but the truth.

What does he want?

We were in Morocco together.

He's the one we need for now.

You can sit down.

He says that he left Mali

to go to Spain.

He crossed Niger.

He left Niger and went to Algeria.

From there, he went to Morocco.

The Moroccans brought us back to Oujda.

They made us all board a truck

to take us into the Sahara.

From there, we walked to Algeria.

The Algerians refused to let us in.

They helped us the first time,

but this time they didn't.

They opened fire on us but the bullets didn't hit anyone

and we set off again.

There were around 30 of us.

We walked for seven nights.

We walked for a week.

Without water or food.

Those who were sick were soon exhausted.

One man couldn't go any further.

His young brother sat down next to him

to wait for him.

He said, "Don't wait.

"Go.

"I can't go on,

"I accept death.

"There's no sense in you waiting with me.

"Go..."

There was a woman with us.

She was from Ghana.

We didn't know she was a woman.

She was disguised as a boy.

She was exhausted.

We went over to her to help her.

We couldn't do anything.

There were 30 of us at first

but only ten or so survived without much trouble.

We don't know where the others are. Are they dead?

Are they wandering in the Sahara? I don't know.

Madou Keita...

The reason why you left your country,

was the suffering you felt.

Since your birth, Madou,

have you been to school to learn?

Since your birth, Madou,

has the state given you the health care you need?

Since your birth, Madou,

has the state taught you a trade? Has it found you work?

Has it given you money?

It has given me nothing.

Nothing. The state has given me nothing.

What do you mean?

You're not thinking.

You're being unreasonable.

We can understand him. Look at yourself and look at him!

You'll never be like them!

How can you defend them?

Look at yourself and look at him!

Until your dying day,

you'll never be like them!

Never like them.

You're lost for us!

Madame, please...

Let me speak. Let me speak to this fool!

Look what he's doing!

Please, madame.

- He's just doing his duty. - Let's get serious here!

Honestly!

What is this? You're wearing us out.

If we were alone, you wouldn't leave unharmed.

I'd accept the consequences. Enough suffering!

Enough suffering!

Enough manipulation...

The hearing is adjourned.

Saramba, will this do?

Hold it up to see.

That's good. Rinse it and hang it out to dry.

You know Raymond is dead?

Which Raymond?

The same one.

What was wrong with him?

Nothing.

- 140/120... That's good. - It's good?

Thank you.

What are you looking for here, by this streetlight's glow?

Have you lost something?

Yes, I've lost my wallet.

Are you sure you lost it here?

And now, tonight's film.

I'll be here tomorrow for our news bulletin.

Good night.

Some technical problems

but everything will be settled shortly.

I'm lost here.

Know where the square is?

They don't need two teachers.

Spare the kids.

Guys...

l fired at one

and I got two!

What's up, guys?

Have you seen my soap-dish?

No, I haven't.

Mamou!

Take this.

Let's do the blue ones.

Do a sky blue one like this.

I'm off to Dakar on Sunday.

But without Ina.

Tell me, what's going on between Mele and you?

Nothing.

What do you mean, nothing?

You don't talk to her anymore.

She's the one not talking to me.

Nor to Mariam, either.

If you want to sort it all out, talk to your wife,

not to me.

All rise.

As social realities demand,

we shall take a short break.

Aren't there people with money in Mali?

People who've enriched themselves?

People who are rich enough

and who can now create jobs

by founding a company and keeping it in Mali

simply don't exist.

We have heard a witness, a mutual insurance manager, Mr Aouitara.

Is that his name? Ouatara.

Mr Ouatara told us

that part of the money provided by international aid

wasn't spent. He didn't say it was embezzled.

He said it was there and that it wasn't being used.

Money is provided but not used

even though it is vital. Why is that?

I can't say anything about Mr Ouatara's statement.

It's his opinion. My view is different.

It's not a matter of opinion...

Maitre Rappaport, let the witness answer.

Yes, Your Honour.

Mr Keita, actually, Maitre Rappapov...

Ra-ppa-port.

...is saying our disbursement capacities are poor.

Very poor!

Maitre Rappaport,

let's consider the most social fields today

and that are also considered fundamental for us.

Education.

Has anyone ever seen a school built

using what you refer to as financial means? No.

We can provide figures.

Let's not clutter up this debate.

Maitre Rappaport, he's a witness, not the opposing party.

Occasionally, through twinning or another form of cooperation,

it can come about.

As part of the process of decentralization,

we have made a superhuman effort

to ease our suffering.

And, in these conditions,

all we can do is come to terms with ourselves.

And break away from this system.

Have you read Lao-Tse?

Confucius.

I haven't read all of it.

I win a point. He says,

"He who is excessive is insignificant."

We would gain in all matters if we avoid being excessive.

Listening to you,

our African nations

were calm states or countries,

without problems, prosperous...

Then came the World Bank and the IMF,

and we became poor

and we have become poorer and poorer. Is that right?

These countries have known 100 years or more of colonization

and, with colonization over,

are struggling to ensure the conditions for their development.

And what do they find themselves facing?

An international diktat, institutions

that more or less regulate world relations.

I don't see how you can describe those countries as you just did.

I did inform you, professor, that I'm no expert in this field.

But you've just said...

Our countries were characterized

more or less like in Aime Cesaire's poem,

"The Prayer of a Negro Child".

The very same thing. We've known nothing but misfortune.

And it's getting worse.

Is it absurd to imagine...

that this increased poverty

could have a cause other than the World Bank and the IMF?

Well before colonization,

there was a country,

a wealthy and stable country where life was good.

But colonization came along and set up what?

It took everything:

Men, riches, everything.

A leading gold-producing country where the people are poor.

As you can see, our women

don't even wear gold jewelry.

Can we imagine a world without the IMF or the World Bank?

Absolutely.

Thank you.

When someone dies in Africa,

at that person's funeral,

one of the questions asked

is whether he owes money

or if there is anyone in his local community

who owes him money.

In Africa, we remind people

that death is better than shame.

The African states owe money.

Is it normal

that these people should claim their due

and that you, as an expert,

should advise these Africans not to pay off their debt?

Chaka...

What are you reading?

Falai...

Is there an Israeli embassy here?

No.

One day there will be.

Yes, that's possible.

The guard will be me.

You're going to choke.

I'm sorry.

The question we are asking now

after around 45 years of cooperation,

with these states and institutions,

is where are we exactly?

And we've had to wait 45 years to realize

that, despite having everything needed to achieve it,

the economy has never taken off or developed over time

but that we're bogged down in anti-development.

Malnutrition, undernourishment,

chronic illiteracy, chronic unemployment

and even the total lack of decent living conditions.

As we can see, promiscuity reigns.

It's impossible to describe.

What does this lead to?

The total degeneration of the foundations

that represented our society's key values.

To that, we need to add

this flood of information we receive that only flows one way.

At times, it cancels out all our efforts

to try to live as we really are.

Because even within our imaginations, we are raped.

They don't just take our resources, our work,

and our money, they take our minds too.

We have reached the last threshold of the human heartbeat.

And now, in a totally biased manner,

they come to observe this failure.

And, on observing it, they say, "No.

"You must maintain libertarianism

"as the development mode for your countries."

In other words, prevent us from creating a payments deficit.

That presupposes that all the money we receive must be used

to restore and maintain our solvency in relation

to our creditors

and cannot be used within the national economy.

Today, we pay out much more than the true total of our budgets.

This framework of action set up by the World Bank,

what effect will it have?

It will smother a fire

that will continue to smoulder.

It's simply the fire of imposed destitution.

It's the fire of a terrible form of colonialism.

It's the fire of an unspeakable form of exploitation.

It means some countries will disappear.

We are barely kept in this international system

and take part in it just because we are

good little markets and a source of money.

Today, we give everything to North America

and we give everything to Europe!