Emmanuel Macron: “We have a destiny linked to the African continent”

By Nde Laura

French President Emmanuel Macron has said France needs to demonstrate a “profound humility” in Africa as they have a destiny liked to the African Continent. This was during a speech he made on the French policy to Africa on Monday, February 27th at the Elysee presidential palace.

He unveiled France’s new strategy for Africa, ahead of his visit to Gabon, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 1st, 2023.

He also noted that France is planning a “noticeable reduction” of its military presence in Africa. French military bases in Africa will now be co-managed with the governments of African countries.

“The change will happen in the coming months, with a noticeable reduction in our numbers and the increased presence of our African partners at these bases,” he stated.

Macrn added they will end the practice of hosting regular military bases in Africa and will instead establish “academies” to be co-run by French and African armies.

The decision comes at a time when voices continue to rise against the French military presence on the African continent. In some countries, France is accused of supporting armed groups in the Sahel. Reports reveal French soldiers have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic in recent months.

He noted that he is proud of France’s military record in Mali and will not allow the country to be made a scapegoat for a worsening of the security situation in the Sahel, where Islamist insurgents have made fresh progress as France’s involvement has waned.

He highlighted that France must move away from interfering in parts of Africa that it once ruled as a colonial power, saying the continent is no longer its “backyard”.
“We should address African countries as partners with whom we share interests and balanced, reciprocal, accountable responsibilities,”.

Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that Africa now is a “field of competition” and urged French businesses to “wake up” and get involved in the fight.

He stated that France could help foster small businesses and entrepreneurship in Africa and beyond.
“France is strong thanks to its diaspora, France must help increase their economic and business ties with the continent and express hopes for an emergent new generation of French-African entrepreneurs,” he explained.

Macron went on to say that France wants to avoid giving “lectures” to its African partners. “France’s role is not to fix all the problems in Africa,” he added.

Macron is to visit Gabon for an environmental summit, followed by Angola, then the Republic of Congo, and finally the Democratic Republic of Congo.