Bridging the Trust Deficit between African Nations and European Nations, the Role of Ethical Public Relations and Public Diplomacy Strategies: Evidence from Nigeria and Cameroon

Abstract

This study examines trust deficit between African nations and European nations and role of ethical public relations and public diplomacy strategies, with France as leading example of pan-European sanctuary and its impact on perception of democracy and good governance through comparative analysis of Nigeria and Cameroon. Despite institutional frameworks including Joint Africa-EU Strategy 2007, Cotonou Agreement, and EU Global Gateway 150 billion Euros, empirical evidence indicates deepening trust deficit where African nations trust EU less than China. Afrobarometer surveys show China retains over 60 percent favourability while EU ranks third, and 71 percent of Africans demand greater influence in international bodies. Literature documents credibility crisis where EU narratives of balanced partnership mask deep mutual mistrust, vaccine hoarding, and exclusion of civil society from 2022 EU-AU Summit.This study argues traditional European public diplomacy relies on Grunig and Hunt's public information model one-way dissemination rather than two-way symmetrical ethical model. Most critically, it argues Françafrique has evolved into pan-European sanctuary Eurafrique where France has become pan-African medical-diplomatic hub hosting both Francophone and Anglophone leaders who rule from Europe. Cameroon former French and British colony President Paul Biya 92 years , 42 years in power since 1982 spends extended periods in Geneva and France reported by Jeune Afrique and Le Monde. Nigeria former British colony independence 1960 not French colony suffers same faith. President Bola Tinubu frequent medical trips to Paris France reported by Premium Times and Reuters, and former President Buhari eight months in London. This creates governance vacuum, double standard condemning military coups in Sahel as unconstitutional but protecting constitutional coups removing term limits, and hypocrisy perceived by youth who constitute 60 percent of population. Mixed-methods design used survey of 1000 respondents 500 Nigerians 500 Cameroonians, content analysis of 1600 articles from European BBC, Deutsche Welle, France24, African Channels , Premium Times , CRTV, 20 interviews, and policy document analysis. New Pan-European Sanctuary Perception Scale 12 items alpha 0.87 developed. Analysis via SPSS and SmartPLS SEM. Findings, Pan-European sanctuary items mean above 4.0 strong agreement, double standard military vs constitutional coups mean 4.61 highest, public funds for suites Europe while local hospitals lack equipment mean 4.55. Current EU communication perceived as public information model mean 4.28 dominant,two-way symmetrical mean 1.89 absent. European media 62 percent crisis framing Africa, African media 58 percent exploitation hypocrisy framing Europe. Trust means below 3.0 low: trust to support democracy including term limits 2.08, trust not to enable absentee leadership 1.92, trust EU more than China 2.15. Pearson correlation sanctuary perception negatively correlated with trust r=-0.65 p.0.01, costly signalling positively r=0.72. Multiple regression R Square 0.68. All hypotheses accepted.