Macron in Africa: 'The days of la Françafrique are over'
3 Min Read
In an attempt to soften his image, Macron is trying to improve his ties with Africa, whose countries France had formerly colonized.
-
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is greeted by Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa on Saturday March 4, 2023. (AP)
Before starting his 18th trip to Africa in a mere eight years, French president Emmanuel Macron boasted of “humility,” “partnership” and “investment" after his country, the previous colonizer of Africa, withdrew its army from multiple African nations.
In Gabon’s capital Libreville, Macron expressed: "The days of la Françafrique are well and truly over,”
“We have reached the end of a cycle of French history in which military questions held preeminence in Africa,” Macron said. Henceforth, “there will be no military bases as such,” but “new military partnerships” with African allies.
Read more: Eyeing rekindling France's power in Africa, Macron on four-nation trip
Macron's four-day trip centered on saving African forests, enhancing agriculture and supporting African business and moving from fossil fuels to clean energy. His trip also entailed clubbing in Kinshasa with Congolese singer Fally Ipupa.
“Our destiny is tied to the African continent. If we are able to seize this chance, we have the opportunity to anchor ourselves to the continent, which will increasingly be one of the youngest and most dynamic economic markets in the world, and one of the great centers of global growth in the decades to come,” Macron said.
Attempt to gain the glory days back
Macron was not welcomed so warmly in Gabon as he was in the Congo. Protesters in Gabon accused Macron of aiding President Ali Bongo in his reelection campaign, which he denied. He also received criticism in the DRC from President Felix Tshisekedi and opposition activists.
During his visit to Rwanda, he apologized for failing to prevent the 1994 genocide by Hutus against ethnic Tutsis and claims to have founded a commission to look into colonial massacres in Cameroon.
In an attempt to regain his glory days in Africa, Macron directed his speeches to the young community, civil society and sometimes heads of African governments. Not only so, but he vowed to get rid of the CFA franc - the West African currency tied to France and promised to replace it with the Eco in 2027. Part of his attempt included being the first French president to repatriate cultural artifacts to Africa.
Read more: Last 47 French troops left the Central African Republic
Macron even tried to portray or disguise the African bases as joint training efforts to find a middle ground between consultants who argued against giving into France’s enemies, and those who want to redirect the armed forces to prepare for a possible and close war in Europe.
An Odoxa poll for Le Figaro showed the results as follows: 61% of voters believe France should keep its presence in Africa due to economic and security interests and to prevent mass migration to Europe while a similar percentage expressed feeling negative towards the closeness and expressed skepticism towards Macron's potential to build a fresh and restructured relationship.
