French President Macron visits East Africa to reevaluate Frances African presence

French President Emmanuel Macron Embarks on East African Tour Amid Efforts to Rebuild Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a three-country tour of East Africa, visiting Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia. The trip aims to strengthen economic and security ties with the region, following a series of setbacks in France’s former West African colonies.

Macron’s visit to Kenya will include a two-day summit on Monday and Tuesday, where he will cohost with Kenyan leaders and business executives. Several agreements between French and Kenyan companies are expected to be signed during the visit, focusing on economic and commercial cooperation.

The “Africa Forward” summit marks Macron’s first visit to an Anglophone country since taking office in 2017. He will also hold meetings with Ethiopian officials and participate in talks at the African Union headquarters on peace and security in Africa.

Macron’s tour is part of efforts by France to repair its relationships with African countries, following a period of declining influence in the region. The French president has sought to redefine France’s role in Africa, moving away from its postcolonial legacy towards closer cooperation.

The tour comes as anti-French sentiment grows across parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel region where Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced coups and deteriorating relations with France. Macron is seeking to reshape France’s Africa policy, focusing on partnerships rather than traditional influence.

During his visit, Macron will also promote cultural and educational cooperation, including entrepreneurship, climate change, and youth engagement. The French president aims to reinvent France’s postcolonial relationship with African states and compete with powers like China and Russia.

Source: Al Jazeera