Macron said French military bases won’t be closed, but will be transformed based on needs expressed by African partners. “Tomorrow, our (military) presence will go through bases, schools, academies, which will be jointly managed” by French and African staff. Growing anti-French sentiment has led to street protests in several West and North African countries. Macron acknowledged that Africa now is a “field of competition” and urged French businesses to “wake up” and get involved in the fight. Last year, Macron announced the formal end of the so-called Barkhane military force after France withdrew its troops from Mali.
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