Vol 38 No 15

Published 18th July 1997

Après le déluge – quoi?

18th July 1997

Paris wants to recoup its losses – diplomatic and commercial – after a series of disasters

The triumph of the Parti Socialiste in Gaullist President Jacques Chirac's misjudged snap elections in May-June and the palpable failure of French strategy in Central Africa have precipitated a radical review of policy in Paris. Driving it are economic imperatives - the French treasury has to make swingeing budget cuts if it is to meet the membership criteria of European Monetary Union – and politico-cultural ones – the value of la voie française in an era of globalisation. But it's more difficult for Paris to square its political and cultural aims with economic realities in Africa than elsewhere; and after its policy rethink, Paris will still be more engaged in Africa than any other Western government. Policy planners are examining ways to: abandon most of the secret defence pacts with African governments; target economic help on 'stars' such as Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso; make a greater impact in their concentration on Southern Africa; and mend fences in Central Africa and the Great Lakes.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 1481 words.

End of preview

Subscribers: Log in now to read the complete article.

Account Holders: Log in now and use your Account Credit to buy this article. No Credit? Top up your Account now.

Forgotten password?

If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.

Africa Confidential's reporting and analysis is valued by a wide range of organisations and individuals: from corporate executives, country risk analysts, national politicians and members of the diplomatic corps, to intelligence operatives, academics, journalists and NGO personnel.

Here's what our readers say about us:

"If you want the detail and you want the dirt, the little blue newsletter [Africa Confidential] that drops through your letter box is like having your own private spook who knows Africa inside out and who's also one hell of a gossip."
Jonathan Miller, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Channel 4 News, London, UK

"Since the demise of reporting on Africa in Western newspapers, and especially in the UK, in recent years, Africa Confidential has become ever more indispensable to anyone trying to make sense of the continent.

It provides the context one needs to understand vast changes Sudan has undergone since the signing of the peace agreement in 2005 and the explosion of conflict in Darfur.

The scope of its coverage of everything from the latest mining deals and rebel uprisings in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the political crisis in Kenya since the 2007 election is simply unparalleled."
Karl Maier, Africa & Middle East Editor, Bloomberg News

"We regard Africa Confidential as one of our best and most reliable sources of information and analysis." Intelligence Assessment Service, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada

"You are the best reporter on Africa alive. I look forward to your Intel."

Robert Stewart, CEO, Hawk Uranium Inc., USA

"In short: it is excellent! Very informative and interesting. Also well organised and easy to browse through and access to the different articles."
Lt. Col. Daniel Martella, Military Planning Service, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations

Vol 38 No 15

Après le déluge – quoi?

Paris wants to recoup its losses – diplomatic and commercial – after a series of disasters

End of preview

Not a subscriber?

1. Subscribe

2. Use my account

3. Buy this article

Stories by country