Microsoft Word - France country report.doc

The report details France's transition from a neo-colonial 'policeman' of francophone Africa to a more diversified continental strategy that prioritizes economic interests and partnerships with non-franc zone powers like South Africa. It examines the shift from direct military intervention to supporting African-owned peacekeeping, the contradictions in French development aid versus its Common Agricultural Policy, and the growth of bilateral trade and investment between France and South Africa.

• France shifted its African policy from 1997 onwards to be 'resolutely continental', moving away from unilateral intervention in internal affairs toward supporting African-owned processes and indirect assistance, such as the Reinforcement of African Capacity to Maintain Peace (RECAMP) programmes.
• France's economic engagement has diversified beyond the franc zone; by 1994, total trade with non-franc zone countries—specifically South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, and Madagascar (FF 22 billion)—exceeded trade with franc zone countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, and Senegal (FF 17 billion).
• There is a significant contradiction in France's development approach: while it advocates for developing countries in international forums and provides official development assistance (ODA), it maintains the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which discriminates against agricultural producers in developing countries.
• Bilateral trade between France and South Africa grew by 455.6% between 1994 and 2003, with France rising from South Africa's 14th to its 6th largest trading partner, reaching a total of R20,625.09 million.
• France has positioned itself as a champion of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), focusing its contributions on infrastructure, water, sanitation, and the fulfillment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly access to medicines and education in French-speaking Africa.
• France's military presence in Africa decreased from 8,000 troops between 1997 and 2002 to 5,600, concentrating forces in five specific areas: Abidjan, Dakar, Djibouti, Libreville, and N’Djamena.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Microsoft Word - France country report.doc. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_france_country_report.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Microsoft Word - France country report.doc. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_france_country_report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Microsoft Word - France country report.doc |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_france_country_report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndmicrosoft, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - France country report.doc}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/euaf_rep_france_country_report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }