What conclusions can be drawn from Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Africa?

Back after four days in Central Africa, the French president considers the objective of his trip fulfilled. Indeed, Emmanuel Macron visited Gabon, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the aim of confirming the break with Françafrique, while in this region as on the whole continent, the anti-France sentiment is increasingly present. And many criticisms have been leveled at him. First on the paternalistic prism, which he was criticized for in each country he visited.

“We expected too much from France”

Emmanuel Macron considers that “the software change will not be done in a day”. In his eyes, some of the criticism is unjustified, but another part is justified because “we expected far too much from France and because she sometimes led people to believe that she was able to settle everything, which is not healthy,” he said.

On anti-French sentiment, this perception persists, “but it is not in line with current practices”, assures the head of state, who thinks he has changed the situation on many subjects. Regarding the military presence in Africa, “we were told ‘You are always in a predatory and security logic'”, confides the president. But the announced reorganization completely changes the situation in his eyes because it reinserts security into a broader partnership.

At all stages, the president did everything not to appear as the savior. “It is not and is not intended to be”, summarizes an adviser. On the other hand, “Emmanuel Macron shows that France is one of the only countries capable of putting the subjects back at the center of international attention and of bringing together around the table all the actors who can play a role”, adds this close to the head of state.