Macron in Africa in bid to turn the page on French setbacks in the Sahel • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Emmanuel Macron's Africa Tour
• Security Cooperation
• Madagascar Coup
• French Intervention/Interference
• Post-Colonial Relations
• Political Transition Support
• Economic Development
• Anti-Corruption Efforts
• G20 Summit
• Gabon Coup Aftermath
• EU-African Summit

Emmanuel Macron's Five-Day Africa Tour Commences French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a five-day tour of Africa, beginning on Thursday with his arrival in Mauritius. The tour is structured to address bilateral relations, regional political stability, and multilateral engagements across the continent.

Bilateral Cooperation in Mauritius During his stop in Mauritius, President Macron engaged with the Mauritian Prime Minister. A key outcome of their discussions was the mutual decision to bolster security cooperation between France and Mauritius. This highlights France's commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships in the Indian Ocean region.

Addressing the Madagascar Situation and French Position A significant portion of Macron's engagement in Mauritius involved addressing the sensitive political situation in neighboring Madagascar. He was directly questioned about the October coup that led to the ousting of President Andrazuel, following widespread youth-led demonstrations. A critical point of contention was the evacuation of Radzo by the French army, a move that some Madagascans perceived as interference by the former colonial power in the country's internal affairs.

President Macron sought to clarify Paris's official stance, stating: "We have taken note of the willingness of the new Malagasi authorities to respond to the aspiration of the youth who have expressed themselves with strength and dignity." He further articulated France's commitment to supporting this transition with "an attitude of openness." France's support will specifically target several key priorities for the Malagasy people, including:

• Economic development
• Youth empowerment
• Energy sector advancements
• The fight against corruption
• Combating illicit enrichment

This statement underscores France's strategy to engage with new authorities while aligning its support with the expressed aspirations and developmental needs of the local population, aiming to mitigate perceptions of undue influence.

Subsequent Stops and Multilateral Engagements Following his visit to Mauritius, President Macron's itinerary includes several other crucial stops:

• Johannesburg: He is scheduled to attend the G20 summit, indicating France's participation in global economic governance and its engagement with major world economies.
• Gabon: Macron will hold discussions with President Bryce Aliggina. This visit is particularly notable as it occurs two years after the coup that ended the Bongo family's long rule, signaling France's re-engagement with Gabon under its new leadership.
• Angola: The tour will conclude in Angola, where President Macron will participate in a summit between the European Union and the African (likely referring to the African Union or African nations), emphasizing broader continental cooperation and strategic partnerships between Europe and Africa.

Conclusion and Main Takeaways President Macron's five-day Africa tour is a multifaceted diplomatic initiative aimed at reinforcing bilateral security ties, particularly with Mauritius, and navigating complex political transitions in former colonies like Madagascar and Gabon. His clarification on France's role in Madagascar highlights a nuanced approach, acknowledging local aspirations while offering targeted support in critical areas such as economic development and anti-corruption. The tour also underscores France's commitment to multilateral platforms, as evidenced by his participation in the G20 and the EU-African summit, reflecting a comprehensive strategy for engagement across the African continent.