Macron refuses to send troops!
On September 2nd, the website of the Frankfurt Report in Germany published an article titled "France's Long Farewell to Africa", compiled as follows:
Given the recent military coups in French speaking African countries, French President Macron has broken the tradition of French military intervention. His predecessor once emphasized the need to abandon postcolonial interference.
When the situation is critical, French soldiers are always sent to the former "backyard" to restore order. The last time he did this was Socialist Party President Hollande, who sent troops to the Central African Republic and Mali. But Macron's approach is consistent with Germany's usual foreign policy. He condemned, demanded, and issued warnings, hoping for sanctions and regional organizations, but gave up taking on major military responsibilities.
Although Macron does not rule out supporting the military intervention of the Economic Community of West African States in Niger, he is not in a hurry to use force and does not want France to fight on the front line. He refused to send French special forces to the presidential palace at the critical moment of the Niger coup to turn the tide. In Gabon, Macron did not respond to President Ali Bongo's request for help with military measures.
On June 22nd, French President Macron welcomed Gabonese President Ali Bongo in Paris.
Macron's proposal to reshape France's African policy goes hand in hand with the rejection of military interventionism. Macron has not yet decided to launch a new military operation in Africa since taking office in 2017. He inherited military operations in Mali from Hollande and made adjustments according to changes in the situation. He also seeks to share responsibility with the Takuba Task Force, which has other EU military forces involved.
In his speech on Africa at the end of February this year, Macron called military intervention "inappropriate" and a "trap" that other major powers wanted to lure France into. The French army has withdrawn from Mali and Burkina Faso. Military experts predict that the French army will soon withdraw from Niger as well. However, the military leadership is exerting tremendous pressure on Macron not to "give up" on Africa. But security experts such as Pierre Arush have called for the deployment of French troops in Africa to the east wing of NATO, stating that it will determine the future security order in Europe.
At a recent meeting of French diplomats abroad held in Paris, Macron stated that he has no intention of taking actions that go against the will of African governments. He said that the French military presence must be based on partnerships with African countries in terms of training and equipment. Macron's reason for changing course is that he learned lessons from the failed actions of the French army in Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali. The president is well aware that the goal of stabilizing the local situation has not been achieved. Since then, he has been skeptical about resolving multiple crises in Africa through military means.
France's new approach may pose a challenge to EU partners. France's unwillingness to send troops to maintain order is equivalent to encouraging other European countries to contribute more to maintaining stability and security in Africa. From now on, the German government will not be able to simply play the role of a follower like in Mali.
