France promotes new relationship with continent

This research paper by Romy Chevallier of the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the shift in French foreign policy toward Africa under President Nicolas Sarkozy. It describes a transition from 'la Françafrique'—characterized by colonial ties and personal relationships with corrupt elites—toward a multilateral 'Eurafrique' model based on economic partnerships and European integration.

• Under President Nicolas Sarkozy, France is attempting to replace 'la Francafrique'—a policy of traditional relations based on 'personal ties with the ruling, corrupt elites of former colonies'—with partnerships between 'equal nations'.
• French engagement with Africa has shifted from a defensive posture aimed at protecting 'former spheres of historical and colonial influence' to a strategy focused on 'economic and financial considerations'. This includes expanding development aid to all African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries that signed the Lomé Convention, as well as South Africa.
• France has transitioned its military strategy from 'direct military intervention' to a model favoring 'African-owned processes and indirect assistance'. While France avoids unilateral intervention in internal affairs, it maintains agreements to protect African nations from 'external aggression' and supports the AU-UN Hybrid Force in Darfur (UNAMID).
• France is repositioning its strategic and economic interests away from Francophone sub-Saharan Africa toward new territories, including Nigeria, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa, as well as emerging markets like Brazil, India, and China.
• South Africa is viewed by France as an 'ideal intermediary and power-broker' and is France's 'leading economic partner in Africa'. Cooperation includes military planning in the Central African Republic and nuclear energy projects involving the French company Areva at Koeberg.

APA

Chevallier, R. (2008). France promotes new relationship with continent. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/research/france-promotes-new-relationship-with-continent/

Chicago

Chevallier, Romy. France promotes new relationship with continent. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2008. https://saiia.org.za/research/france-promotes-new-relationship-with-continent/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chevallier |first1=Romy |title=France promotes new relationship with continent |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=2 March 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/france-promotes-new-relationship-with-continent/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chevallier2008france, author = {Chevallier, Romy}, title = {{France promotes new relationship with continent}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/france-promotes-new-relationship-with-continent/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }