Jean-Yves Le Drian calls for the creation of "a new deal between Africa and Europe"

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian during a visit to Athens on November 19, 2021 © AP Photo / Thanassis Stavrakis

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In an interview with the newspaper " 

, the French Foreign Minister expressed concern about the economic predation weighing on African countries, pointing the finger at China and Russia.

" 

" affirmed Jean-Yves Le Drian, according to whom Europeans must in turn overhaul their relationship with the continent.

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If he did not give details on what this new contract between Europe and Africa would look like, Jean-Yves Le Drian especially insisted on the risks of a lack of agreement.

According to him, the increasingly important links of Russia and China with African countries are a danger for the nations concerned.

New warning to Mali 

He cites in particular the Central African Republic and the presence on site of the

group

A group " 

" in his words.

These remarks sound like a new warning to Mali, tried for several months to turn to Wagner to fight terrorism, a rapprochement to which France is fiercely opposed.

Jean-Yves Le Drian warns Africans against the economic predation of Russia but also of China which seeks 

the countries with which it concludes so-called "

" agreements.

Act in February 2022 

In February 2022, the African Union - European Union summit will be held in Brussels, this is where action will have to be taken, says the French

, otherwise, he concludes, “

 ”.

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