Macron accuses Russia of ‘predatory’ influence in Africa (contractor, military)

[herenow1]

France is losing its influence in Africa, and the country to gain from this is Russia:
President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of feeding anti-French propaganda in Africa to serve “predatory” ambitions in troubled African nations, where France has suffered military setbacks and a wider loss of influence over recent years.

Speaking on the sidelines of a summit of French-speaking nations in Tunisia, Macron was asked to respond to critics who say France exploits historic economic and political ties in its former colonies to serve its own interests.

“This perception is fed by others, it’s a political project,” Macron told TV5 Monde in an interview. “I’m no fool, many influencers, sometimes speaking on your programmes, are paid by the Russians. We know them,” he said.

“A number of powers, who want to spread their influence in Africa, are doing this to hurt France, hurt its language, sow doubts, but above all pursue certain interests,” he added.

France, the former colonial power in most of Western and central Africa, has longstanding military ties across Francophone Africa and French troops were stationed in Mali for a decade as part of a counter-terrorism operation.

Critics describe France’s operation as a failure and blame it for destabilising the region further.

It has also been jockeying for influence with Russia in recent years, with the deployment of private military contractor Wagner Group in several countries, including in the Central African Republic (CAR) and in Mali.

Paris had to withdraw troops in Mali after the African country’s military took power in a 2020 coup amid a breakdown of relations. The military leaders subsequently invited Wagner to help with a decade long battle against Islamist militants and cut ties with France.

Russia has said Wagner neither represents the Russian state nor is paid by it. But the EU has imposed sanctions on Wagner, accusing it of carrying out clandestine operations on the Russian government’s behalf.https://www.euractiv.com/section/glo...nce-in-africa/

[euro123]

Hungary and the American far right rednecks are the only 2 options for Putin to gain influence, everywhere else is a lost cause be it Africa, Eastern Europe or else. Oh yeah on twitter there's this Kim Dot Com idiot from New Zealand who tweets pro-putin bs, he is the 3rd person.

[orbiter]

Spain's People's Party describes Paris as incompetent due to its inability to resolve the crisis with Algeria
Oct 5, 2022
~ youtube.com/watch?v=8WBtLilbIPk

Türkiye Says Macron Should Not Blame Other Countries For Anti-French Sentiment in Africa
Sep 2, 2022
Resentment towards France in large parts of Africa is growing to levels not seen in decades. That anger mostly stems from the military footprint France maintains in several of its former colonies and the close relationship the French government has held with many unpopular leaders in the region. But France's President Emmanuel Macron is blaming this rising anti-French sentiment on other countries, including Türkiye. During a recent trip to France's former colony Algeria, Macron said that a campaign by Russia, China and Turkiye, was spreading anti-French feelings on the continent. He also accused the three countries of having a neo-colonial and imperialist agenda. Türkiye's Foreign Ministry blasted Macron's remarks, saying the French leader needs to confront his own country's colonial past and to stop accusing others. France, which maintains military bases in several of its former African colonies, has seen growing resentment against its policies in the region. In Chad, anti-French protests broke out in May, following similar outbursts in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso over the past year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8wzx37FMe4

[grega94]

Replace France with Russia, Macron with Putin, Africa with Eurasia and it reads pretty much the same. So yes Macron is being an imperialist hypocrite. Africa has the right to distance itself and be distrustful of France just as much Ukraine has the right to distance itself and be distrustful of Russia.

[Ice_Major]

Originally Posted by grega94

Replace France with Russia, Macron with Putin, Africa with Eurasia and it reads pretty much the same. So yes Macron is being an imperialist hypocrite. Africa has the right to distance itself and be distrustful of France just as much Ukraine has the right to distance itself and be distrustful of Russia.

Agree, very hypocritical of France. Their record in Africa is atrocious; however, this is geopolitics as usual. European powers love to accuse others of being bad guys while totally ignoring their actions or worse viewing their actions as altruistic in nature.