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"French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to reset France's relationship with Africa, saying the era of 'top-down' policies and European 'diktats' was over. Speaking at the France-Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Tuesday, Macron called for a new partnership based on 'mutual respect', co-investment, and African economic sovereignty. "It's neither France nor Europe that will be here giving you diktats on the way forward. No, those days are way behind us," he said. "Africa will no longer be seen as a place for rare earths and other resources to be extracted, but rather to be a partner," Macron continued. The French leader emphasised investment in African value chains, artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy, arguing that stronger African economies would also benefit Europe. "Your success is our success," Macron said. "When you invest in your populations and have them succeed, that means fewer people fleeing poverty." Macron said Europe and Africa share the same goal of achieving greater 'sovereignty and autonomy', particularly amid growing competition between major global powers. The France-Africa Forward Summit concluded in Nairobi on May 12, focusing on digital sovereignty and reforming the global financial system. In recent years, leaders across West Africa have demanded the French withdraw military amid much anger over France's colonial legacy on the continent, and ongoing claims of 'neo-colonialist interference'. Those countries include Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal and Ivory Coast."
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