French President Emmanuel Macron has finished his four day diplomatic mission to Africa, his 18th visit to the continent during the course of his Presidency. During the tour, he visited Gabon, Angola, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, all former French or European colonies (though, notably, Macron is the first French President born after the colonial period to visit). Although met with protests and growing anti-French sentiments in parts of Africa, Macron was determined to reset relations and prioritize Franco-African partnership going forward. In light of visits from China and Russia to Africa in January and February of this year, Macron no doubt views competition over the continent as a key diplomatic aim for his administration this year.
1. Why did Macron visit Africa?
With the exception of Angola, all countries visited on this trip are former French colonies. Despite a historic relationship, these countries have recently experienced increasing anti-French and pro-Russian protests, especially among younger generations. In 2022, French forces were asked to leave Burkina Faso and Mali, with Burkina Faso renouncing a 1961 agreement providing a legal basis for French military assistance. Russian mercenaries from the controversial Wagner Group have filled the place of the French military in these regions.
However, France maintains key financial investments in Africa, and wants stability regarding its interests. Even without a strong military presence, France cannot afford to lose its historic economic ties to Africa. In 2020, 39 percent of France’s bilateral aid flows (3.6 billion euros) went to Africa. Moreover, 18 of 19 countries prioritized to receive French public development aid were in Africa. In response to the bubbling pressure, Macron is signaling an end to françafrique imperialism and promoting a “new partnership of equals” approach to Africa.
As an aside, it is an election year in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, with both President Ali Bongo Ondimba and President Félix Tshisekedi up for reelection. There has been some commentary and skepticism that Macron’s visit may have been meant to bolster his chosen candidates, though the overall sentiment remains that Macron visited with the chief aim of strengthening ties with African countries.
2. What has changed in Franco-African relations as a result of the visit?
The conversations primarily focused on two political aims—first, collaboration within France’s military bases on the continent, and secondly, France’s investment in protecting the environment and natural resources in Africa.
France maintains a heavy military presence in Africa, primarily as a result of Operation Barkhane, where the French military fought against Islamist groups in Africa's Sahel region. Operation Barkhane formally ended late last year, though more than 3,000 French soldiers are still deployed in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon and Djibouti, and another 3,000 remain in the Sahel. President Macron confirmed that while French troops would not leave Africa entirely, the French military bases would instead take on more of a “support” role with their African counterparts. Macron stated that French troops will work with African troops on training and intelligence in the coming months, and the bases will be co-managed by the host countries. Only the base in Djibouti will remain exclusively French.
Additionally, France announced 50 million Euros in funding for reforestation at the One Forest Summit in Gabon, co-hosted with President Ali Bongo. The Congo basin spans six African countries and is the world’s second-biggest tropical forest after the Amazon. Macron stated in his keynote address, "We understood the need to have cash on the table and concrete actions," signaling that France views environmental collaboration as a key strategic initiative to bolster economic and social ties between France and Africa in the coming years.
3. What else does Macron’s visit mean for Africa?
Apart from military and environmental cooperation, France also announced a number of country-specific strategic initiatives during the tour.
In Angola, a previous Portuguese colony, France is establishing an agricultural production mission to help minimize food insecurity and reliance on imports in the country. In the DRC, there has been increasing conflict with neighboring Rwanda over exploitation of resources, which Macron is aiming to mediate.
Additionally, fourteen African countries continue to use the CFA franc, which is pegged to the Euro and guaranteed by France. The currency has been criticized as a form of neo-colonialism, though proponents believe that it is essential to the continent’s economic stability. While there is little momentum to formally change the currency, Macron stated a willingness to reform the franc and the financial obligations that it imposes on the countries that use it.
4. What will France’s diplomatic strategy look like going forward?
This is likely not going to be Macron’s last visit to Africa this year. With China and Russia also actively demonstrating a desired presence in the region, through large infrastructure projects and high-profile diplomatic visits, Macron realizes that there is a lot at stake in the continent. Africa is well-positioned to be a strong political and economic partner going forward, and France clearly wants to be the primary partner in the region. Particularly with union protests seriously threatening the economy in France at the moment, Macron cannot lose some of France’s most essential international economic partners. This year, we can expect to see France trying to increase influence in the region, albeit utilizing a more partnership-based approach.