Macron Begins East Africa Tour, Seeks to Redefine France's Role in Africa
Al Jazeera Staff
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a three-nation tour of East Africa—Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia—in an effort to mend economic and security ties and counter rising anti-French sentiment. The trip includes a summit in Kenya focused on redefining France's role from a post-colonial power to a more equal partnership, and ends in Ethiopia at the African Union headquarters.
French President Emmanuel Macron has launched an East African tour as Paris seeks to restore its influence in Africa after a series of setbacks, particularly in its former West African colonies.
The visit, which began Saturday, starts in Egypt, then moves to Kenya and ends in Ethiopia. In Kenya, Macron will co-chair a two-day summit on Monday and Tuesday focused on redefining France's role in Africa, shifting from a post-colonial power to a more equal partnership.
The summit, named “Africa Forward,” will bring together African leaders and business executives. Multiple agreements between French and Kenyan companies are expected to be signed to boost economic and trade cooperation. This is the first time the summit has been held in an English-speaking country since Macron took office in 2017.
The final leg of the tour will take the French president to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Wednesday, where he will meet with Ethiopian officials and participate in discussions at the African Union headquarters on peace and security.
Analysts see the trip as Paris's effort to repair economic and security relations while countering a growing wave of anti-French sentiment in many parts of Africa.
Shifting Dynamics in Africa
France once established colonial rule over much of West and Central Africa, maintaining outsized political and economic influence after these countries gained independence. However, France is no longer the dominant diplomatic power it once was in Francophone Africa. Across the continent, there is a growing demand for equal, mutually beneficial partnerships, tighter control over natural resources, and broader alliances beyond traditional Western partners.
Turning Point in the Sahel
Anti-French sentiment has risen alongside political instability, military coups, and intensifying competition from other powers. The deepest rift has occurred in the Sahel region, where coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have led to rapidly deteriorating relations with France. French forces were expelled after years of military campaigns against armed groups, which local governments and public opinion deemed ineffective.
Into the power vacuum, military leaders in the region have turned to new security partners, notably Russia, through the Wagner Group and its successor networks. Russia's presence has expanded in part by exploiting anti-French sentiment.
Can Macron Succeed in Reshaping Africa Policy?
Macron is seeking to reshape France's policy toward Africa, replacing traditional influence with what he calls a partnership. He is promoting deeper cultural and educational cooperation, with a focus on entrepreneurship, climate, and youth engagement. These efforts are seen as France's attempt to reinvent its post-colonial relationship with African nations, competing with powers such as China and Russia.
Paris is trying to change its Africa policy, but the question of France's influence on the continent remains open.
