An old French nightmare is brewing in Gabon, the former West African colony where crowds have rioted against the newly-elected president and French interests. In the worst scenario, President Ali Bongo telephones President Sarkozy to send troops to rescue him from a popular revolt while French paratroops evacuate the 10,000 French nationals.

The scene was last played out in February 2008 when les paras saved President Déby of Chad from insurgents and escorted expatriates out of his country. It was not supposed to be like this. Mr Sarkozy promised a clean break with "France-Afrique", the old system in which Paris propped up African leaders, no matter how corrupt, provided they served French interests.

The French leader has switched strategic focus to the Gulf, cut troop levels to 900 in the Ivory Coast and he plans to close one of two garrisons in Senegal or Gabon. France, Mr Sarkozy says, has ended the "complicity of a bygone era" and it will no longer play the gendarme of Africa.

But the trouble in loyal and lucrative Gabon shows how hard it is to end a system which has ensured rich returns. The rioters who attacked the French consulate in Gabon's Port Gentil yesterday were angry over the presidential victory of Ali Ben Bongo, son of Omar Bongo, who ruled from 1967 to his death last June. "France imposed its new Bongo," says Bruno Moubamba, the main defeated candidate.

Bongo senior was the epitome of the old system. He kept dozens of mansions and fat bank accounts in France, according to investigators. He allegedly funded the campaigns of President Chirac. In the 1980s and 1990s, he corrupted the bosses of the Elf-Aquitaine oil giant and the son of the late President Mitterrand, who were all sentenced by Paris courts. "Gabon without France is like a car with no driver," Mr Bongo senior used to say. "France without Gabon is like a car with no fuel."

Despite Mr Sarkozy's promises of change, much of "France-Afrique" is enjoying business as usual. Bernard Kouchner, his Foreign Minister and symbol of moral probity, was embarrassed earlier this year when it was disclosed that before taking office he had received hundreds of thousands of pounds for consultancy in Gabon.

With Total oil and other French firms expanding their Gabonese interests, Paris laid on the honours at President Bongo's funeral in June. It was attended by Mr Sarkozy, Mr Chirac, Dr Kouchner and a platoon of present and former Cabinet ministers. Mr Sarkozy was booed by crowds after proclaiming that Mr Bongo was France's "great and loyal friend".

With performances like that, it is not surprising that France finds itself once again playing in the thick of upheaval in one of its old African possessions.

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