(Yaoundé) “We will not let go of the security of the African continent”, warned French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday in Yaoundé, reaffirming his desire to “reinvent” the French “military and security apparatus”, particularly in the Sahel.
Posted at 8:02
“France will remain resolutely committed to the security of the continent in support and at the request of our African partners,” explained the Head of State during a speech to the French community in Yaoundé.
The evolution of the device, initiated since the announcement of the withdrawal of Operation Barkhane from Mali in the face of the hostility of the junta in power, will be both geographical and organizational.
“We are reorganizing our system by withdrawing from Mali because the political framework is no longer there […]to expand our system, beyond the Sahel, to the Gulf of Guinea and the countries of the second belt which now have to deal with terrorist groups which are in the process of expanding and shaking up the whole region”, explained the French president, who started a tour of Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau on Monday evening.
“We will remain mobilized alongside the countries of the Lake Chad basin to help them fight against the terrorists who have bereaved the far north of Cameroon for so many years”, where Boko Haram is active, he also assured.
For him, France must “be there in an even more explicit way at the request of African States, with a clear and explicit request, by being more present on the subject of training, equipment, by being in support, in intimacy with the African armies, to help them increase their capacity and by always linking our system with security, defence, diplomacy and development”, detailed Emmanuel Macron.
“This triptych is the only one that makes it possible both to respond to the security emergency in the face of terrorism, but also to attack the root causes of terrorism,” he insisted.
The Head of State also wanted to put an end to certain “carabistouilles” circulating in the context of the war in Ukraine.
“We are attacked by some who explain that European sanctions are the cause of the global food crisis, including in Africa. It’s totally false, it’s just that food and energy have become Russian weapons of war,” he said.
Emmanuel Macron also declared that he thinks “very deeply” that France can, “in the years to come, build new ambitions, have new results in the partnership” with Cameroon, and “more broadly Africa”.
To do this, “we must accompany with benevolence, respect, humility, the subjects of governance and democracy” and “collectively build new partnerships with a new approach by associating companies already established, young companies, associations, civil society…”.
Emmanuel Macron arrived at the presidential palace at midday for an interview with his counterpart Paul Biya, 89, who has ruled Cameroon with an iron fist for nearly 40 years.
He intended to discuss “without any taboo on all subjects”, such as that of the political transition which is looming due to the age of his counterpart, said the Elysée. But “France does not have to interfere, to dub anyone, to give lessons”, we said from the same source.