French senators criticize Macron's Africa policy

By Irmak Akcan and Alaattin Dogru

A group of 94 French senators have written an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron in which they criticized the government over its Africa policy, which has triggered anti-French sentiment in the continent.

The letter, published Monday by the French daily Le Figaro, called on Macron to review France's policy in Africa.

The senators noted that the failure of Operation Barkhane was in great part the reason why France and its economic, political and military presence are now rejected in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic.

Operation Barkhane was France's anti-insurgent operation in Africa’s Sahel region which started in August 2014 and formally ended in November last year.

"Today, the Francafrique of yesterday has been replaced by the military Russafrique, the economic Chinafrique or the diplomatic Americafrique,” said the letter.

"Isn't it time to review our vision of Africa and its link with France?”

The letter concluded by calling the African continent a "friend" which is no longer understanding of France and is increasingly contesting its role and its presence in the continent.