Jean-Marie Bockel, new envoy for France’s military disengagement on the continent

He becomes Emmanuel Macron’s personal envoy to Africa. Jean-Marie Bockel, who in 2008 criticized “Françafrique”, is now responsible for explaining France’s new strategy: reducing the military presence on the continent.

The French military disengagement in Africa has been at work since 2017, when, in November, in his Ouagadougou speech, the Head of State initiated the change of course. He wants to turn the page on a policy of collusion and paternalism, increasingly criticized by African youth and demands “a new relationship“with Africa,”less asymmetrical“.

The successive coups d’état in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 then in Niger in 2023, accelerate this pace. The French army is unceremoniously expelled, the ultimate humiliation after ten years of investment in the fight against jihadists. It is time to match words with actions. During a tour of the continent last February, Emmanuel Macron announced the reduction of military personnel. In December, a defense council noted the outlines of this reorganization which Jean-Marie Bockel will therefore be responsible for detailing with the countries concerned.

Former slayer of Françafrique

If it was chosen, it is also for a question of symbol. In 2008 Jean-Marie Bockel had to leave his portfolio as minister of “cooperation” for having criticized Françafrique, which he described as a system of corruption and commercial preserves between Paris and its former colonies. His son Pierre served in Mali where he lost his life in the collision of two helicopters in 2019.

A case-by-case discussion

The countries affected by this reorganization are Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon and Chad. These are the four countries which host French military bases. Djibouti, facing the Indian Ocean, is spared. Jean-Marie Bockel will have to discuss on a case-by-case basis. In exchange for training programs, France will still keep logistical bases from which it could deploy if necessary. In Senegal, where 350 men are still stationed, the presidential election has just been postponed in confusion, which will not make discussions easy.

In Chad, there are still a thousand men. N’Djamena hosts the command of French forces in the Sahel, but this mission no longer exists. Discussions are already underway with transitional president Déby Itno, who is protecting his rear by also moving closer to Russia. Jean-Marie Bockel will have to make his recommendations in July.