Faced with Russia and China, France wants to strengthen its bilateral ties with its historic African partners and make new friends. In July 2022, President Macron had already made a mini-tour of Cameroon, Benin and Burkina Faso.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron (photo), will visit four Central African countries from 1 to 5 March to strengthen bilateral relations. The information was relayed by several media on Thursday, February 23.
During this visit, the French Head of State will participate in the summit dedicated to the protection of equatorial forests in Gabon from 1 to 2 March. He will continue his tour in Brazzaville, Congo on March 2. With a view to intensifying relations with the English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries of the continent, the tenant of the Elysée will go to Luanda, in Angola on the same 2nd March to launch a Franco-Angolan agricultural production partnership. And finally, his presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 3 and 4 March will be devoted to “deepening the Franco-Congolese relationship in the fields of education, health, research, culture and defence”.
The African continent is seen as the future catalyst of the global economy. In recent years, it has been the scene of increasing competition between the world powers in order to accelerate their investments and ensure their interests. This tour comes at a time when France’s influence has been shaken by “anti-French sentiment” in West Africa for some years, pushing Mali and Burkina Faso to demand the withdrawal of French forces from their territories.
Facing Russia and China, which are gaining ground on the continent, Paris wants to strengthen its bilateral ties with its historical partners while expanding its sphere of influence in the region. In July, Emmanuel Macron had already toured Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
Source: Ecofin Agency
