AA / Paris / Ümit Dönmez
The spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay, Christophe Lemoine, presented this Thursday, January 23, 2025, the broad outlines of the reconfiguration of relations between France and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
During his weekly press briefing, Lemoine recalled that French military engagement in the Sahel, begun in 2013 at the request of the States concerned, ended in certain countries “due to internal developments”, alluding to changes in power. occurred in the region, including coups d’état.
“Where the French military presence is no longer desired, the French forces have left,” he said. For example, French forces left Mali in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2023, following the sovereign decisions of the respective governments.
– A transition focused on cooperation
Beyond defense issues, Christophe Lemoine stressed that Franco-African relations are also based on “dense partnerships” and “deep human and cultural ties”. The current strategy, supported by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, aims to be “looking towards the future”.
“Fewer bases, more schools,” summarized Lemoine, referring to projects focused on education, health, youth and the climate.
This reorientation involves the gradual closure of French military bases in Chad, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon, as part of a bilateral dialogue carried out for two years, according to the Quai d’Orsay. The consultations, entrusted to Jean-Marie Bockel, “personal envoy” of the French President for Africa, aim to favor “win-win partnerships” that respect the sovereignty of the States concerned.
– Delicate context
This declaration comes in a tense diplomatic climate. During the conference of ambassadors on January 6, Emmanuel Macron declared that certain “African leaders” had “forgotten to say thank you” to France for its military commitment in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. These comments, perceived as condescending by several African leaders, sparked a wave of criticism against the former colonial power.
For several years, relations between France and its African partners have been marked by increasing tensions. The gradual withdrawal of French troops has taken place in several West African countries at the request of their governments:
-– Mali: Withdrawal of French forces in 2022, after the deterioration of diplomatic relations between Bamako and Paris;
– Burkina Faso: End of the defense cooperation agreement in 2023, with the departure of French troops shortly after;
– Niger: Suspension of military cooperation and expulsion of the French ambassador in 2023, after a coup d’état which distanced the country from Paris;
– Chad, Ivory Coast and Senegal: Announced withdrawal of French forces from 2025.
These developments take place in a context where many African states are claiming strengthened sovereignty and expressing a desire to diversify their international partners.
– Redefinition of the role of France
At the same time, France is trying to redefine its role on the continent by emphasizing economic, cultural and climatic partnerships, as evidenced by the restitution of cultural property in Benin, Senegal or Madagascar, as well as initiatives such as the One Forest Summit (2023) or the Global Financial Compact (2024).
Despite these tensions, France intends to continue its commitments on other fronts, in particular with support for expanded African representation on the United Nations Security Council.
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