“ No, France is not in decline in Africa, it is simply lucid, it is reorganizing itself », affirmed the French president at the opening of the conference of ambassadors, this January 6, 2025 in Paris. Emmanuel Macron notably mentioned in his speech the recent end of military partnerships on the continent: “ I think we forgot to say thank you. It doesn’t matter, it will come with time. Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease that cannot be transmitted to humans. »
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The French ambassadors are meeting in Paris until tomorrow for the traditional ambassadors’ conference, the thirtieth of the name. Two days of discussion around Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, on themes such as artificial intelligence (AI), global issues and even economic diplomacy.
A conference opened this January 6, 2025 by Emmanuel Macron. Two weeks after a trip to the Horn of Africa, the French president mentioned the continent in his speech and in particular the departure of French soldiers from Senegal and Chad.
“ I think we forgot to tell us “THANKS” »
“ No, France is not in decline in Africaaffirmed the head of state. She is simply lucid, she is reorganizing herself. We chose to move because we had to move. We had a secure relationship. It was of two natures, in truth: there is one part, it was our commitment against terrorism since 2013. We were right. I think we forgot to tell us “THANKS”. It doesn’t matter, it will come with time. Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease that cannot be transmitted to humans. But I say this for all the African leaders who did not have the courage to face their public opinion: none of them would be with a sovereign country today if the French army did not was not deployed in this region “.
Great international guestForeign policy: “Mr. Macron believed that intelligence could replace experience and knowledge.
Then Emmanuel Macron said: “ We left because there were coups d’état, because we were there at the request of sovereign states. From the moment there were coups d’état, when people said “our priority is no longer the fight against terrorism”, France no longer had its place there. And then we decided – this is the second part – to reorganize our military presence. And so, we proposed to African heads of state to reorganize our presence. As we are very polite, we let them have priority in the announcement. But make no mistake: sometimes you had to push them. But, it is not because we are polite, correct, and reorganize ourselves, that it should be turned against us by saying: “They are driven out of Africa.”. »
He concludes: “ I can tell you that in many of these countries, we did not want to remove the French army or even reorganize it. But we took it on together. That’s partnership. »
Also readAfter the departure of Chad and Senegal, what remains of French forces in Africa?