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With an Eye on China and Russia, Macron (Again) Tries to Reboot France’s Strategy in Africa

by Cobus van Staden
President Emmanuel Macron outlined France's revamped strategy for Africa during a speech at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 27, 2023. Stefano Rellandini / POOL / AFP

France needs to approach Africa with ‘profound humility’ to make up for its colonial past. This is the message from French President Emmanuel Macron, who is embarking on an African tour in part aimed at rejuvenating Paris’s engagement with a continent where its image remains shaped by its colonial and military ties.

Macron announced that France plans to diminish its military presence on the continent. It plans to replace its bases with military “academies” co-run with African armies.

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