The French President held talks on Saturday with President Felix Tshisekedi in the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, which this week saw several small-scale protests – signs of rising anti-French sentiment in parts of Francophone Africa.
At a joint press conference, Macron acknowledged France was among foreign powers jostling for influence in Africa but said he was committed to working with states on an equal footing.
“We want to be long-term partners,” he said. “Africa is a theatre of competition. It has to be done in a fair framework … We have our role to play, neither more nor less.”
This tour is Macron’s 18th visit to Africa as president and follows a recent slew of Africa tours by high-level U.S., Russian, and Chinese officials seeking closer ties.
France has endured a recent messy breakdown in relations with some former colonies in West Africa and his first-time visits to Congo, Gabon, Angola, and Congo Republic this week reflect…
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