Macron vows more Africa troops with eye on Russia, China

French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to provide “new force” to purportedly fight terrorists in Africa, as he paid a visit to Ivory Coast.

Macron, who arrived in the Ivory Coast on Friday, said Paris has built a “strategic partnership” with Abidjan.

The partnership “addresses the priorities of our two countries in the region and France's will to contribute to reinforcing the collective security system in Africa, so as to build peace and lasting security in Africa but also in Europe, because our destinies our linked."

Macron made the remarks during a speech for French soldiers at the Port-Bouet military camp.

He also described Franc'es military presence in the region as “a vital mission,” saying Paris would fight against terrorists “with our African, European and international partners.”

His visit to the African nation came ahead of a summit in Paris with the leaders of five Sahel nations early next year.

The summit, initially due to be held in Paris this month, is planned for January 13 in Pau, southwestern France, said the president’s office earlier this month.

France, a former colonial power, is still trying to maintain power with its significant military presence in Africa.

Currently, there are some 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, alongside a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in Mali.

Violence, however, rages in the region with militants — linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh — using northern Mali to launch attacks on other countries in the region

Back in November, 13 French soldiers lost their lives during a helicopter crash in Mali.

After the incident, Macron ordered the military to review its operations in West Africa and intensified calls on European allies to support the military presence in the region.

The call for European participation in the Sahel “mission”, however, is seen by many observers as an attempt to confront China and Russia which have been expanding their financial and political clout across the African continent.

Macron's trip to Africa seen as attempts to counter China's influence

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron is wooing African counterparts beyond traditional allies in non-Francophone Africa, such as Ethiopia and Kenya, to assert his country’s competitive edge in a region where China's influence runs deep.

This comes as Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti have all taken the lead as some of the most important partners in China's "Belt and Road" reach for global influence.

Beijing overtook the US almost a decade ago by turning into Africa's largest trading partner. According to official statistics, their bilateral trade reached a record-high of $220 billion in 2014.

It has already provided many countries in the continent with billions of dollars in aid and loans for roads, railways, ports and other major infrastructure projects.

Local populations are buoyed by China's investments which the United States grudgingly characterizes as a "debt trap".

Many Africans, at the same time, complain about the dearth of investment by the West, especially France, in the continent despite maintaining a protracted military presence. 

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