Macron announced: France will reduce the number of military bases in Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that as part of his country’s new African strategy, they will reduce the number of French military bases in Africa.

Macron announced his country’s new African strategy at the press conference he held at the Elysee Palace ahead of his official visits to 4 African countries from March 1-5. Noting that “France will go through a transformation in its military bases in Africa and reduce its workforce, especially on the continent,” Macron stated that they want this transformation to change the face of their country in Africa and “move away from the legacy.” of the past”, which is used as an excuse by opponents of France.

Emmanuel Macron also stated that the Minister of Culture will submit to parliament a framework law on the return of African cultural property to the continent in the coming weeks, adding that they hope this will be an approach taken by the broader environment, Europe. .

France had to end the French Operation Barkhane, which has been stationed in Mali since August 2014, in June 2022, after the Bamako administration’s relations with Paris were strained and it withdrew all its soldiers from this country.

Paris had to withdraw all its soldiers stationed in Burkina Faso since 2009 as part of Operation Saber on February 19, after Burkina Faso’s military government announced on January 23 that it had ended military cooperation with France. (AA)