Nowadays, France and Africa’s relationship is becoming more and more complicated. Recently French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Horn of Africa. Here he met with the leaders of Ethiopia and Djibouti. This tour of Macron highlights its efforts to restore its influence in different regions of Africa. For a longer time, France’s presence was not highlighted in West Africa. In this region, former colonies have started distancing themselves. Many nations such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Senegal decided to cut off military ties with France.
This is because French military bases are strongly opposed due to their inefficiency. They do not tackle different issues such as terrorism. This can lead to many complexities in West Africa. So, Africa’s government decided to not rely on an alliance military base. This declining trust of Africa’s leaders resulted in the ending of ties with France. Macron’s visit to Africa is an effort to rebuild diplomatic ties with Africa. However, it seems challenging for Paris to regain its lost position in different countries of Africa.
The growing criticism forced Macron to shift his focus to Eastern Africa, particularly with Djibouti and Ethiopia. Due to the ideal location of Djibouti on the Red Sea, it is important for France both for military and economic purposes. It is crucial for France to operate its operation efficiently. Recently France and Djibouti both signed an agreement and increased their military cooperation for more than 10 years. This deal highlights France its commitment to the region. It points out that France has a wish to strengthen its presence in different African regions. Macron is making an effort to secure its position in Djibouti and Ethiopia to continue military ties along with other geopolitical goals. France also wants to influence the future stability and development of African regions.
Particularly in opposition to China’s developing influence on the continent, France’s new approach shows its resolve to fortify its relations with African nations and reclaim its influence. According to diplomatic and military sources, France intends to transfer its troops from Chad to its base in Djibouti. France’s continuous efforts to preserve its military presence and safeguard its strategic interests in Africa are reflected in this redeployment.
France also wants to negotiate a military pact with Ethiopia that would strengthen Ethiopia’s military infrastructure. Ethiopia’s defense capabilities would be strengthened by this collaboration, which would also strengthen connections between the two nations. France has a clear technique: it wants to strengthen its own role in regional security in order to offset China’s growing influence in Africa.
By balancing the shifting power balances and making sure it remains relevant on the continent, France hopes to maintain its leading position in Africa. France’s battle to stay relevant in its former colonies, particularly after losing ground in West Africa, is reflected in Macron’s attempt to recover power in East Africa. Unless France changes its strategy, these attempts are unlikely to be successful. It has been said that the reliance on military presence, as demonstrated in West Africa, ignores local demands and concerns.
Macron underscored the significance of French forces in the area and connected their presence to more general strategic objectives in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific in his remarks regarding Djibouti. Long-term progress could be hampered, though, if military might is still given precedence over diplomatic efforts. France needs to reevaluate its strategy and concentrate on building closer, more advantageous ties in the area.