Get out of paternalism, set up a new strategic partnership, rely on the role of the diaspora ... Emmanuel Macron wants to lay the foundations for a new relationship with Africa. In his various speeches since the resounding one in Ouagadougou in November 2017, where he preached the end of Françafrique, the French president outlined what could be the new paradigm of relations between the former colonial power and the French colonial power. continent.

On August 27, during the Conference of Ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron insisted that French strategies must now be "designed with our African partners" and be carried "with them and for them". In listing the different priorities and commitments of France on the continent, the President explained to the representatives of the French diplomacy that "a relationship with Africa based on a feeling or sometimes realities of asymmetry" was no longer topical.

For Lionel Zinsou, Franco-Beninese economist and former minister of Benin, member of the first circle of Emmanuel Macron, the president wants "to change the codes, to swing the clichés to no longer live with the tinsel of colonialism, neocolonialism or the anti-colonialism. We must stop being in a hegemonic relation with Africa. It's completely out of date. " "Emmanuel Macron poses completely different bases and turned towards the innovation or the employment of the women. He considers that what happened thirty or forty years before his birth is of little interest to him "adds the former cantor, in France, of the Afro-optimism, a current of thought born in the 2000s which praises the rapid emergence of Africa.

"Emmanuel Macron renews the visions and we feel that his speech in Ouagadougou has evolved. But the words must be followed by actions, "says Jean-Claude Félix-Tchicaya, a researcher for the Institute for Prospective and Security in Europe (IPSE).

Natural ambassadors

To rebuild relations with Africa, the French president wants to rely on the French-African elites. In July, he gathered at the Elysee nearly 400 representatives of African diasporas handpicked including entrepreneurs, members of associations but also celebrities to initiate a dialogue. But above all make them ambassadors of the new French policy towards Africa.

"Because they know the codes here and on the continent, they are natural ambassadors for building new bonds. Giving voice to the diaspora also helps to better understand its expectations and to encourage the conversion of views between Africa and France, "says Wilfrid Lauriano do Rego, new coordinator of the Presidential Council for Africa, contacted by France 24.

For those who are also members of the supervisory board of KPMG France, an international network of audit firms, several members of the diaspora "are willing to put their energy, skills and resources at the service of Africa's development. They already play an important financial role on the continent, and France must encourage them to direct their efforts towards projects that create wealth and jobs, especially for young people ".

Created in August 2017 by Emmanuel Macron, the Presidential Council for Africa (CPA) composed of French and African binationals is to guide the head of state on the new relationship of France to Africa. "CPA is Emmanuel Macron's suggestion box. He retains a lot. And that goes even in the details of the language, positioning of the visits and the nature of the speeches "explains Lionel Zinsou.

More concretely, the CPA inspired the speech of Emmanuel Macron in Ouagadougou, helped to launch the debate on the restitution of the royal treasures claimed by Benin. It is also from his work that the idea of ​​initiating the African Africa 2020 season, a cultural event that will take place between June and December 2020, is aimed at celebrating African creativity. "Africa 2020 goes beyond mere cultural institutions. It is intended to enhance creative Africa. It's the arts, but it's the technology too, "says Lionel Zinsou, who is also the chair of the steering committee.

The CPA has also played an active part for the strong presence of Africa, for two years, at the major Vivatech technology show where a program of 65 million euros has been announced in support of African start-ups. So many winks to the bubbling African youth, but in which the anti-French feeling is gaining ground. Particularly on sensitive issues such as the issue of the CFA Franc or what it considers as an implicit support of France to authoritarian regimes in Africa.

A loss of influence

According to a study conducted by the French Council of Investors in Africa (CIAN) in February 2019, France no longer enjoys the best image among young African opinion leaders. The former colonial power is relegated to fifth place in favor of Germany, which is seen by 45% of 1,244 influencers polled as one "The most beneficial partners for the continent". Come just after China, the United States and Japan.

At the Élysée, this situation worries. By betting on the African diaspora and putting it at the heart of its diplomacy, Paris intends to catch up with these new emerging powers. "There may be a question of method to review, to avoid this 'French bashing' which sometimes comes from the perception, often the emotion, generated by a common story that each party will have to assume in a transparent and responsible way to forward, "recognizes Wilfrid Lauriano do Rego.

"Emmanuel Macron has understood that the Chinese, Indian, German or Brazilian lusts do not embroider or very little old prisms. These countries have a business vision, "explains Jean-Claude Félix-Tchicaya.

"You do not have to be naive about the aggressive strategies of some," replies Wilfrid Lauriano do Rego. But "Africa can not be presented as a market on which the great powers compete for their shares and the diaspora is not a tool at the service of a policy of influence or hegemony".

However Lionel Zinsou concludes that by "exalting the African identity, France surely expects to rise in political, cultural and economic influence".