Report: France aims to reshape military roles in Africa and strengthen economic ties with English-speaking nations amid declining influence in former colonies

A series of military coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso over the past three years has significantly eroded France's influence in the Sahel region, reportedly prompting a reassessment of its role on the continent. The situation has been further compounded by Chad’s recent decision to end its defense cooperation agreement with France, signaling a broader shift in relations between France and its former colonies.

According to The Independent, a report presented last month by Jean-Marie Bockel, President Emmanuel Macron’s personal envoy for Africa, outlines a new strategy for French military engagement in the region.

The plan, which has not yet been released, calls for a significant reduction of French military personnel across African bases, with the exception of Djibouti, where Macron is expected to visit soon, according to three senior French officials.

This new approach does not mean an end to military cooperation. Instead, France aims to let African nations decide what role France would play. This could include providing specialized training in areas such as airspace surveillance, drone operations, and other advanced technologies.

At the same time, France is reportedly working to bolster its economic ties with anglophone African countries, such as Nigeria and South Africa, which are already its largest trading partners on the continent.