Arthur de Laborde 06:46, March 01, 2023
Emmanuel Macron begins this Wednesday a tour in four countries of Central Africa: Gabon, Angola, Congo Brazzaville, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During the first stop in the Gabonese capital Libreville, he will participate in a summit on the preservation of the forests of the Congo River basin.
Emmanuel Macron's trip to Africa aims to confirm the break with Françafrique.
In the Gabonese region, as on the continent as a whole, anti-France sentiment is increasingly present.
There won't be a big speech on his strategy in Africa during this tour, no doubt, so as not to give the impression of favoring one country over another.
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Emmanuel Macron no longer wishes to establish new military bases on the continent
On Monday, Emmanuel Macron announced the orientations of his policy on the continent from the Élysée.
Faced with the rise of China and Russia, the Head of State calls for a renewed partnership.
It must be said that French influence on African soil continues to decline even as anti-France sentiment is on the rise.
For the Head of State, it is therefore necessary to adapt.
This requires first of all a redefinition of the military presence in Africa.
After the withdrawal of troops in Mali and Burkina Faso, there is no longer any question of setting up new bases.
Helping the African continent to face a series of challenges
More broadly, the stated objective is to help the continent to face a series of challenges, security, health, demographic or climate.
So it starts in Libreville.
After a dinner this Wednesday evening with Gabonese President Ali Bongo, Emmanuel Macron will co-chair a summit on Thursday aimed at better protecting the forest basin of the Congo River, considered one of the main lungs of the planet.