Status: 02/28/2023 02:36 am
The former colonial power France is increasingly losing influence in Africa. President Macron has now announced the withdrawal of more soldiers. At the same time, he warned against leaving the field to Russia and China on the continent.
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to withdraw more soldiers from Africa. “Where hundreds or thousands of French soldiers are stationed, the number of our soldiers will be reduced. At the same time, the number of African partners will be increased,” Macron said in Paris.
The French military bases would not be closed but turned into academies or community bases. The number of French soldiers on the continent recently fell from 5,000 to 3,000.
fight against Islamists
For many years, France and its troops have been an important force in the fight against Islamist terrorist groups in the Sahel, which are particularly troubling Mali and Burkina Faso. Almost a month ago, however, Burkina Faso asked the former colonial power to withdraw.
France had already ended the military operation in Mali last year because the junta maintains close contacts with Russia and is said to have hired fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
France loses influence
On Wednesday, Macron will embark on a multi-day trip to Gabon, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congo-Brazzaville. In Libreville, Macron takes part in the One Forest Summit for the preservation of forests in the Congo Basin. In addition, the President announced a law for the return of looted art.
The journey takes place against the backdrop of France’s waning influence in its former colonies on the African continent. Russia and China are defending their interests in resource-rich countries ever more vehemently.
Many countries have interests in Africa
“Africa has become a place of economic competition,” Macron said. “The French economy needs to wake up,” he added. Other countries that weren’t there a few years ago and don’t have more to offer than France are expanding there simply because they take African countries seriously, the head of state said.