Commentary: Goodbye 'Françafrique' - France Sells its Loss of Power as a New Beginning

From the perspective of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, French President Emmanuel Macron's recent 'Africa Forward' summit in Nairobi signifies a strategic pivot rather than a genuine shift in power dynamics. While Macron attempts to cultivate a new relationship with Africa, particularly in Anglophone East Africa, the underlying reality is one of diminished French influence in its traditional West African sphere of control. The expulsion of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, fueled by anti-French sentiment and Russian backing, underscores this decline. The NZZ frames Macron's efforts as a move born out of necessity, a stark contrast to the era of 'Françafrique' where France dictated terms from a position of strength. The article points out that past reform promises, such as those concerning the CFA franc and the return of colonial artifacts, have often been half-hearted or too late, eroding trust. The summit in Nairobi, therefore, appears to be an attempt to salvage what remains of French influence by engaging with new partners, but it is a strategy shaped by recent setbacks rather than proactive leadership.

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