I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, but I will over the weekend, when I have the time to do so. 

As previously announced, starting last night, and on Thursdays during the months of August and September, Al Jazeera will screen three documentary series that spotlight the complex and topical relationship between France and Africa.

In a recent visit to Dakar, Senegal, French president Francois Hollande declared the end of the “Françafrique” era – the term coined to define France’s relationships with its former African colonies in which it supported unpopular African politicians for the sake of its economic interests in the region. But was he being forthright? Is it really the end of “Françafrique”?

Al Jazeera explores that and much more, in a series that began yesterday, Thursday, 8 August 2013, with The French-African Connection, described as a gripping three-part series that tells the dramatic history of the above relationship.

The French-African Connection is a brutal and nefarious tale of corruption; massacres; dictators supported and progressive leaders murdered; weapons-smuggling; cloak-and-dagger secret services; and spectacular military operations.

The series includes interviews with former oil barons; investigating judges into corruption scandals; former French ambassadors to African states; former French secret services; African presidents; and Francois Mitterand’s son.

The first episode premieres yesterday and is now online for you to watch. 

Embedded below you’ll find episode 1 in full (47 minutes):