What’s behind the French leader’s visit to central Africa?

France has already announced that it is scaling back its military presence on the African continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting four countries in Central Africa.

He hopes to regain influence on a continent where the former colonial power now faces competition from other countries, especially China and Russia.

Macron says he wants to mend ties and promises a new partnership of equals.

He visits countries where he has never been before: Gabon, Angola, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

France has announced it will scale back its military presence on the continent – ​​withdrawing from Mali, the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso, where the government has ordered its troops to leave.

So, can Macron improve relations with African countries?

Presenter: Tom MacRae

Guests:

Lara Marlowe – Author and journalist based in France who did events there and served as a foreign correspondent for many years

Marie-Roger Biloa – President of Africa International Media Group and Africa analyst

Marisa Lourenco – Political risk analyst specializing in the Horn of Africa