Emmanuel Macron begins a four-day tour of Africa this Wednesday with, in Gabon, a summit for the preservation of the equatorial forest, less than six months before a presidential election.
Emmanuel Macron arrives in Africa for a tour of four countries: the two Congos, Angola and Gabon, where he lands on Wednesday March 1 around 7 p.m. The French presidency is co-organizing the “One Forest Summit”, a summit for the preservation of the equatorial forest. This visit is not unanimous on the spot because it comes less than six months before a presidential election. The Bongo dynasty has reigned over this country in equatorial Africa for almost half a century.
During this next election, Ali Bongo, the president in place, is considering a third term. For its detractors, given the past and the links between France and Gabon, this visit by Emmanuel Macron is not seen as a good eye. Kévin, a young technician, asks himself the question of the purpose of his visit: “Pfor the forest or to still place Ali Bongo? If Emmanuel Macron comes to place the Bongo family, we will rise up. Gabon is an independent country.”
No anti-French sentiment
But this is not the vision of all opponents. “Contrary to what Ali Bongo may think, the presence ofImmanuel Macron will not bring a voice to anyone because a presidential election debate is played out on domestic political issues, affirms Jean-Gaspard NToutoume Ayi, vice-president of the political party the National Union (UN). In the worst case for Ali Bongo, it could increase the turnout in the election and it would work against him.”
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On the other hand, Jean-Gaspard NToutoume Ayi has reservations for the post-election, if the results come to be contested as in each recent election. This reluctance is based on the lessons he draws from previous presidential elections.
“In 2009, the French consulate was burnt down because the Gabonese heard Robert Bourgi, a friend of Nicolas Sarkozy, who claimed that Ali Bongo was France’s candidate, explains Jean-Gaspard NToutoume Ayi on franceinfo. But François Hollande was the first president to serve an entire term without coming to Gabon, from 2012 to 2017. At no time was a Frenchman worried as a Frenchman, because of François Hollande’s attitude. My fear is that we risk having a situation close to 2009, where the French would be singled out by an angry population because of Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Gabon. ”
Especially since there is no anti-French feeling today in Gabon, some people do not approve but there is nothing that, until then, is likely to generate rejection.
Opponents in Gabon criticize Emmanuel Macron’s visit: report by Jean-Sébastien Soldaïni
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