France

Greeting four Francophone African leaders in Washington on 28 July, President Barack Obama pledged ‘stalwart’ support on economic and security matters, signifying growing US interest in a region...

The Paris Public Prosecutor's office is opening a preliminary investigation into funds and property held in France by Tunisian ex-President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, his family and entourage. Transparency International...

On 14 July, troops from 13 African countries marched down the Champs-Elysées in the annual Bastille Day parade, while elderly sub- Saharan veterans of the French colonial army...

The continuing crisis of the rich world’s financial system has thrown off balance the main surviving element of France’s African empire, the franc of the Communauté financière d’Afrique....

The initials CFA once stood for the Communauté française d’Afrique, later changing to Communauté financière d’Afrique. The name is a colonial legacy and considerable monetary powers are still...

The resignation of Alain Joyandet, secretary of state for cooperation, will reinforce the grip of the Elysée Palace on France’s Africa policy. Joyandet, who was forced out after...

The meeting between Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Paul Kagame in Kigali on 26 February enables France to regain a foothold in central Africa and allows Rwanda to normalise...

The lucrative commercial and political networks between France and Africa have survived a remarkable month in the French courts but more embarrassing cases are coming soon. On 27...

French defence company Thales has won US$150 million of business in Angola in partnership with Manuel Vicente, Chairman and Chief Executive of state oil company Sonangol, and Miguel...

France hopes to diversify its trade with Africa and also to hold on to its traditional influence in its former African empire. This tricky balance is reflected in...