Macron blames DRC for failing to achieve national security
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The French President is brushing off years of mineral exploitation, as well as the fact that reports have proven that France had armed Rwandan militants that have massacred thousands of civilians in the north of RDC.
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The French head of State Emmanuel Macron and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa photographed on March 4, 2023 (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the sole entity to blame for the failure to achieve military, administrative, and security sovereignty and that France should not be held responsible for these failures.
He called on the DRC to cease looking "for the guilty on the side" with regard to the security situation, adding that "France is the DRC's ally and will continue to be one. We condemn any form of looting, balkanization and threats to sovereignty, but I reject the responsibility that may be attributed to France," he said.
"Excuse me for being straightforward, but since 1994 you have not been able to restore military, administrative, and security sovereignty. This is a fact, there is no need to look for the guilty on the side," Macron added, noting that it is the government's responsibility to ensure that justice is ensured in the country.
Marcon kicked off a five-day tour across the African continent to pay official state visits to Congo, Gabon, Angola, and the DRC.
Read more: Macron claims era of French interference in Africa is 'well over'
The Elysee Palace said that the tour is intended to boost bilateral cooperation with countries in the region.
The visits also come in light of a recent surge of anti-French sentiment across much of the African continent, where troops stationed in several countries have either been kicked out or are currently threatened of being expelled, including countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
France has a long history of engaging in multiple genocides in Africa, as well as arming militant forces and cooperating with comprador classes that have spearheaded genocidal wars.
Algeria is particularly known for having suffered the most fatalities while fighting French colonial troops.
Read more: Macron: France will reduce military presence in Africa
