Macron seeks to renew Africa relations

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has said his country has no intention of returning to past policies of interfering in Africa.

He was speaking in Gabon at the start of a visit to four countries on the continent.

President Macron appeared to be trying to draw a line under his country’s experience in Africa by stating that the age of “La Françafrique” was over.

In its former colonies, there has long been a degree of resentment towards France.

Successive presidents in Paris have been accused of turning a blind eye to sham elections and embracing autocratic, corrupt leaders to suit France’s economic interests on the continent.

Military leaders who seized power in Mali and Burkina Faso have been tapping into that resentment – cutting ties, expelling French troops and cosying up to Russia.

But few observers believe Moscow will have a stabilising effect or help stop the spread of jihadist violence in Africa.