French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Djibouti, a former French territory in the Horn of Africa, marking his last chance to revive France’s struggling military presence on the continent. The country’s largest French military base, home to 1,500 soldiers, remains a crucial symbol of France’s fading legacy.
The reasons behind this decline are multifaceted. Djibouti is strategically located along the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, making it an important hub for naval navigation and economic interests. This orientation has led to a unique coexistence between French and foreign troops in the country.
France’s military presence in Africa has faced several setbacks, including the jihadist push in the Sahel region since 2014. The failure of French soldiers to achieve success against armed groups has made their presence increasingly unpopular among locals. Macron had acknowledged this need for transformation during his 2017 speech in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, but failed to implement significant changes.
The legacy of France’s military presence is marked by the network of bases established during President Charles de Gaulle’s era, which served as “life insurance” for friendly regimes. However, this system has become increasingly obsolete, and Macron’s visit serves as a last-ditch effort to rebuild relationships between France and Africa.
As the CFA franc, a common currency used by former French colonies, continues to symbolize dependence, it is clear that rebuilding a more equal relationship between France and Africa is essential. This will require new tools and a shift in approach, but its necessity is uncertain given Macron’s visit taking place on the eve of the final blow – marking the end of six decades of history.
The fate of French military presence in Africa hangs in the balance as Macron navigates this critical moment, leaving behind the fading legacy of France’s “Françafrique” era.
Source: https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/macron-france-military-legacy-in-africa