French President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a grand tour of Africa, landing in Benin on Thursday, marking the start of a two-week journey that will take him to 12 countries in West and Central Africa.
Macron’s trip is seen as a key part of France’s efforts to rebrand itself as a country that is committed to helping Africa develop and to strengthening ties with its former colonies.
In Benin, Macron met with President Patrice Talon and other senior officials, before heading to nearby Togo, where he will hold talks with President Faure Gnassingbe. He will also visit Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Angola, Republic of the Congo and Ivory Coast.
Macron’s trip is being fueled by a desire to strengthen economic ties, promote peace and security, and show that France is committed to being a key player on the continent. He will also use the trip to promote the theme of “sankofa,” a concept that is central to African culture and refers to the idea of drawing on the past to build a better future.
The tour is seen as a key part of Macron’s efforts to reposition France as a country that is able to work effectively with Africa in the 21st century. This is a major departure from France’s colonial past, which has often been marred by its treatment of African countries and peoples. By emphasizing the theme of sankofa, Macron hopes to show that France is committed to a new era of cooperation and collaboration with Africa.
Macron’s visit to Africa comes at a time when France is facing criticism for its role in the African continent. The French government has faced criticism for its military interventions in several African countries, including Mali, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Macron’s tour is seen as an attempt to address some of these concerns and to show that France is committed to being a positive force in Africa.