France seeks to move beyond colonial ties by meeting African leaders in Kenya
France hosted a summit with African leaders in Nairobi aimed at redefining ties beyond the colonial era. BBC reported that talks focused on trade, development finance and security cooperation. France is seeking to offset shrinking influence in West Africa in recent years.
According to BBC, the French president invited 14 African leaders or their representatives to the summit hosted in Nairobi. The agenda was framed around updating symbolic agreements dating from the colonial era and shifting the partnership towards an equals-based framework. The meeting was hosted by the Kenyan government.
A central announcement was a five-billion-euro package from the French Development Agency for renewable energy and health infrastructure across Africa over the next three years. On security, France proposed a new framework with non-CFA-zone countries based on training and intelligence sharing rather than a permanent troop presence.
BBC noted that the recent demands by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger for French troops to leave have increased pressure on Paris. Kenya's president said the future of relations would be built on "economic partnership". A final summit declaration is scheduled for Saturday.
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