Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background

The document examines the tensions in France's Africa policy, noting a pattern of maintaining ties with authoritarian leaders in countries such as Chad and Gabon despite promises of reform. It highlights the specific diplomatic friction between France and South Africa over the recognition of Alassane Ouattara's presidential victory in Côte d’Ivoire, contrasting France's recognition with South Africa's call for compromise.

• French foreign policy toward Africa remains characterized by continued ties to authoritarian regimes, contradicting President Sarkozy's 2007 promise to reform a role distorted by "indulgences, secrets and ambiguities".
• France has reduced its direct military presence on the African continent by closing two of its four permanent military bases, specifically those in Dakar and Abidjan, while maintaining bases in Libreville and Djibouti.
• France's relationship with Gabon, a declining oil supplier, has historically been central to the "secrets" and "ambiguities" of its African role, involving intermediaries like lawyer Robert Bourgi and the Bongo dynasty.
• France and South Africa hold conflicting views on the Côte d’Ivoire crisis: France recognizes Alassane Ouattara's victory in the November elections, whereas South Africa, Angola, and Uganda argue the results were not conclusive and suggest a compromise.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2011). Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background. https://saiia.org.za/research/zumas-paris-visit-the-africa-background/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background. 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/zumas-paris-visit-the-africa-background/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background |date=28 February 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/zumas-paris-visit-the-africa-background/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2011zumas, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/zumas-paris-visit-the-africa-background/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }