France-Africa relations: Is Macron's 'reset' real? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Françafrique: A term describing the historical and ongoing system of political, economic, and military influence exerted by France over its former African colonies.
• Sovereign Equality: The principle emphasized by the French and Kenyan presidents as the foundation for a new, balanced partnership.
• Pivot Strategy: France’s attempt to shift its diplomatic and economic focus from West Africa (where it has faced significant backlash) to other regions like East Africa.
• Anti-French Sentiment: A growing public movement in West Africa, often mischaracterized by French policymakers as purely "Russian disinformation" or "irrational anti-colonialism."
• Post-colonial Accountability: The debate regarding whether African leaders should take more responsibility for internal governance versus the role of external powers in propping up corrupt regimes.

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1. The French Diplomatic Reset

President Emmanuel Macron, alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, recently met with over 30 African heads of state in Nairobi to propose a "partnership of equals." This initiative follows France’s forced withdrawal of troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

• Shift in Aid Philosophy: President Ruto stated that the era of traditional "aid" is effectively over, citing both ideological shifts and budgetary constraints in Northern states. He argued for a "recalibration" of the North-South relationship based on sovereign equality rather than extraction or exploitation.
• Financial Commitment: The summit included a pledge of €23 billion in investment, intended to signal a fresh start for French-African relations.

2. Critical Perspectives: Rebranding vs. Reality

Chris Ogunmodede, a visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund, argues that these efforts are largely a "rebranding" exercise rather than a substantive change in policy.

• The "Lipstick on a Pig" Argument: Ogunmodede contends that France is not genuinely changing its approach but is instead pivoting to East Africa because its influence in West Africa has collapsed due to deep-seated unpopularity.
• Lack of Introspection: A key criticism is that French policymakers consistently attribute anti-French sentiment to Russian propaganda or irrational anti-colonialism. Ogunmodede argues this ignores the "substance of French policy," which includes historical support for authoritarian regimes, election rigging, and corruption.

3. The Accountability Debate

A recurring point of contention is the call for African leaders to stop blaming colonialism for current challenges.

• The Counter-Argument: Ogunmodede asserts that Africans are the most invested in their own prosperity and accountability. He notes that attempts by African citizens to hold their leaders accountable are frequently met with violence from security forces often equipped with Western-made weapons and backed by French policy.
• The "Messenger and the Message": The failure of the relationship is attributed to both the message (the persistence of the Françafrique system) and the messenger (Macron’s specific rhetoric and actions over his tenure).

4. Misconceptions of "Anti-Western" Sentiment

The discussion clarifies a vital distinction regarding African public opinion:

• Specific vs. General: There is no broad "anti-Western" sentiment on the continent. Quantitative data and surveys show that African nations hold other Western countries—such as the United States, Germany, and Great Britain—in high regard.
• Targeted Grievance: The hostility is specifically directed at French policy. Ogunmodede highlights that French citizens living in Africa are generally treated well and live freely, proving that the friction is not cultural or xenophobic, but political and policy-driven.

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Synthesis and Conclusion

The summit in Nairobi represents a high-stakes attempt by France to salvage its influence in Africa by rebranding its presence as a "partnership of equals." However, critics argue that this pivot lacks the necessary introspection required to address the root causes of anti-French sentiment. The core takeaway is that until France moves beyond the structural patterns of Françafrique—specifically the support of undemocratic regimes—and acknowledges the legitimate grievances of African populations, such diplomatic resets are likely to be viewed as superficial maneuvers rather than a genuine shift in international relations.