William Molinie
This Monday, Emmanuel Macron begins a five-day trip to Central Africa. A major move that could help redefine France’s role on the African continent, as the country is increasingly contested there, especially since the end of Operation Barkhane in Mali and Burkina Faso.
Does France still have a role to play in Africa? And if so, which one? Emmanuel Macron will give an initial response this Monday afternoon. The Head of State will begin a five-day trip to Central Africa this week and will notably pass through Gabon, Angola, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the French presence there is increasingly contested. Mali and Burkina Faso have obtained the departure of soldiers from Operation Barkhane. Russia has stepped into the breach. Elsewhere on the continent, China is expanding its influence. It is in this context that Emmanuel Macron will deliver his speech this Monday afternoon. The Élysée must redefine its strategy.
France, target of Russia in Africa
A senior French officer even speaks of detoxification and according to him, “we must abandon the idea that Africa is the obligatory passage to rotate the contingents of the armies”. “The watchword is now discretion to regain influence on the continent,” continues an army general. Clearly, according to them, visible military loans should be reduced. It’s been months since France became the Russians’ favorite target with fake news and destabilization operations. A new form of hybrid warfare that Paris intends not to suffer.
But for that, we must win back the hearts of Africans with development aid. France’s image has deteriorated so much that the slightest sign of rapprochement with African leaders raises suspicions of interference. As in Gabon, a former French colony, where the displacement of Emmanuel Macron arouses the anger of the opposition six months before the presidential election. Leaflets are distributed all over the country. They demand the closure of the French military base in Libreville, the abolition of the CFA franc or even, one can read there, “the end of contempt” and “French arrogance”.