France must “act urgently” and implement reforms to restore its ties with Africa as the influence of Russia and China grows on the continent, according to a parliamentary report published on Wednesday.
The report was issued amid growing alarm in Paris over strong anti-French sentiment in some former colonies.
Written by Bruno Fuchs of the center-right Democratic Movement party and Michel Tabaro of the right-wing Republican party, it said France was struggling to “adapt” to change in Africa.
Africans, the report says, “demand a different policy from France.”
“We must act urgently to avoid the risk of contagion and loss of trust.”
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The 170-page report was released after months of work that included dozens of interviews with African and French politicians, military personnel, civil society representatives and journalists.
“Eager to renew its ties with Africa and avoid past mistakes, lacking detailed knowledge of the continent and dependent on uncertain political choices, (France) now refuses to adopt a genuine ‘African policy,'” the authors lament.
France ended military missions against jihadists in Mali and Burkina Faso and more recently began withdrawing its 1,400-strong contingent from Niger after the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum, a key ally of Paris.
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In all three countries, Paris was pushed back by military regimes that came to power after coups. In Mali, Bamako’s junta leaders have partnered with the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly spoken of a historic shift in post-colonial France in Africa, abandoning any notion of the so-called Francafrique strategy where Paris tried to keep French-speaking Africa under its thumb.
“Francafrique is dead,” he declared in September.
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But Paris has often been criticized for its inconsistent approach to ties with Africa.
While France condemned the coup in Niger this year, Paris endorsed Mahamat Idriss Deby, who came to power in Chad without a constitutional process in 2021 after his father was assassinated.
The report called for a “strategic” new approach that would push African countries to seek “revived, more equal ties with France”.
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According to the authors, a “style change” was necessary.
France, they said, should adopt “a humble attitude” and “stop making grandiose speeches that often raise expectations” but end in disappointment.
They also suggested overhauling France’s public aid system to provide more grants and fewer loans and end “inconsistencies” in its visa policy.