Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Laura Laplaud 08:38, February 28, 2023

Two days before his trip to Gabon, Angola, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Emmanuel Macron presented Monday at the Elysee Palace the main orientations of his policy on the African continent.

The Head of State notably announced the reduction of French military personnel in Africa.

A page is turning, that of relations between France and Africa.

Emmanuel Macron sketched the outlines on Monday during a press conference, on the eve of a long trip to the continent.

The Head of State defended the idea of ​​a great transformation.

A symbol and not the least, the reduction of the French military presence.

This reorientation of policy responds to an imperative for the Head of State: no longer to make France the ideal scapegoat in the region.

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Reduce France's military role in Africa

If he says he is proud of the ten years of commitment in the Sahel, the head of state now wants to reduce the military role of France to a simple support for local governments.

"France's role is not to settle all the situations in Africa. That's why we will stay, but with a reduced footprint. But we are going to train more, more equipped and better support because it will be on the basis of 'an expressed request,' he said.

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But continuing the French influence

Emmanuel Macron also attacks the Russian Wagner militia, a group of criminal mercenaries, he says, against whom the head of state wants to provide a credible solution.

The president thus wishes to pursue French influence in Africa by assuming to defend its interests, but by showing more humility.

"Africa is not a backyard. It is a continent where we must build respectful, balanced, responsible relations, to fight together on common causes, defend our interests and help African countries to succeed", said he continued.

A France less present in Africa but more influential, here is Emmanuel Macron's bet, which therefore lays the foundations for the new Franco-African relationship.

A relationship that was meant to last.

"Our destinies are linked," says the head of state.