By RFIPosted on 20-12-2019Changed on 20-12-2019 at 05:16

The French president is expected in Côte d'Ivoire this Friday afternoon, for a 48-hour state visit. Emmanuel Macron mainly comes to strengthen the security and political partnership between Abidjan and Paris.

Upon his arrival, Emmanuel Macron will go to the military base of Port-Bouët, where the French Forces based in Ivory Coast are staying, for the traditional Christmas dinner with soldiers. To justify this choice, France highlights the role played recently by these forces in support of the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and says it wishes to strengthen its ties with Côte d'Ivoire in this fight.

Because in Paris as in Abidjan, the concern grows to see the Ivory Coast entering in its turn into the jihadist turmoil. Admittedly, Côte d'Ivoire has not been affected by a vast terrorist attack since that of Grand Bassam in 2016 but it shares 800 km of border with Mali and Burkina Faso, long considered the security lock of Africa. the West but where the situation continues to deteriorate.

Abidjan says it has strengthened its border patrols, and " welcomes " the French will to " tighten " the cooperation of the two countries on this issue, focusing in particular on " prevention ". This visit by Emmanuel Macron, moreover, will be the opportunity to launch the start of work at the International Anti-Terrorism Academy in Jacqueville near Abidjan. An academy partly funded by France. Objective according to the Élysée Palace: to make Côte d'Ivoire " a platform for developing a regional strategy to combat terrorism ".

Concerns about the presidential

In this context, the approach of the Ivorian presidential election and the uncertainties surrounding it arouse " increased attention " from Paris. " No one wants to relive the episodes we experienced in 2002, 2004 and 2010, " said a source at the Élysée. Especially since " the balance of the Sahelian economy is largely based on political and economic stability " of Côte d'Ivoire, said this source.

This question of the presidential election to come in 2020 should be addressed during the tête-à-tête between the two presidents on Saturday, just like the thorny issue of the reform of the CFA franc that many countries in the region are calling for.

Visit to Bouaké

Finally, on Sunday, the two presidents will go to Bouaké, launch the works of the future large market, but also pay tribute to the French soldiers killed in this city in 2004 in still vague circumstances. An episode, which had permanently tarnished the Franco-Ivorian relationship.

In total on the economic side, a dozen contracts should be negotiated. The two presidents must in particular finalize the financing of the Abidjan metro, a huge construction site of 1.5 billion euros, the foundation stone of which was laid in November 2017 and whose work should begin in early 2020.

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