In an attempt to soften his image, Macron is trying to improve his ties with Africa, whose countries France had formerly colonized.
Before starting his 18th trip to Africa in a mere eight years, French president Emmanuel Macron boasted of “humility,” “partnership” and “investment” after his country, the previous colonizer of Africa, withdrew its army from multiple African nations.
In Gabon’s capital Libreville, Macron expressed: “The days of la Françafrique are well and truly over,”
“We have reached the end of a cycle of French history in which military questions held preeminence in Africa,” Macron said. Henceforth, “there will be no military bases as such,” but “new military partnerships” with African allies.
Source: Almayadeen