- French President Emmanuel Macron wants to withdraw French soldiers from Africa.
- Shortly before the start of a trip to Africa, Macron promised a “new security partnership” with the African states.
- For years, French troops have been deployed against Islamist terrorist groups in Mali and Burkina Faso.
As part of a “new security partnership”, President Emmanuel Macron wants to reduce the number of French troops in Africa. In a speech at the Elysée Palace, Macron said he wanted to usher in a “new era”. France must detach itself from the meddling in parts of Africa that it once dominated as a colonial power.
“The transformation will begin in the coming months with a visible reduction in our troop levels and a growing importance of our African partners in these bases,” he said in Paris. “There is another way of addressing African countries as partners.”
Macron promised a “new security partnership” with a reduced number of French troops on the continent. The French military bases would not be closed, but redesigned according to the needs of the African partners. In the future, the presence will be through bases, schools and academies, but managed jointly by French and African staff.
China and Russia oust the French
France’s role in Africa faces its greatest challenge in decades. Growing anti-French sentiment has sparked street protests in several West and North African countries. In addition, France’s historic economic ties in Africa are under pressure from the growing presence of Russia, China and Turkey.
Legend:
A picture from earlier days: A French wheeled tank in front of Hassan Airport in N’Jamena in Chad (2008).
Keystone/AP Photo/Jerome Delay
For many years, France and its troops have been an important force in the fight against Islamist terrorist groups in the Sahel, which are particularly troubling Mali and Burkina Faso. A month ago, however, Burkina Faso asked the former colonial power to withdraw. France ended the military operation in Mali last year because the junta maintains close contacts with Russia and is said to have hired fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
Macron is traveling to Africa this week. He will visit Angola to develop ties, particularly in the areas of agriculture and energy. Visits to Congo and the Republic of Congo are also planned. The Elysée Palace stressed that Macron is traveling to Gabon primarily to attend a major climate summit on forest conservation.