As he concluded a tour where he sought to dispel the image of France as an arrogant former colonial power while seeking future influence, the French president shared his vision of a renewed partnership with Africa in which it is on an equal foot& eacute; with France.

Emmanuel Macron met with Félix Tshisekedi on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He saw several small-scale protests last week, a sign of the rise of anti-French sentiment in parts of French-speaking Africa. Indeed, Macron recognized that France was among the foreign powers competing for influence in Africa, during a joint press conference. He said he was committed to working with states on an equal footing.

According to him, a long-term partnership is hoped for. “Africa is a theater of competition. It must be done within a fair framework... We have our role to play, no more and no less,” he announced. This tour is Macron's 18th visit to Africa as president. It follows a recent series of tours to Africa by senior American, Russian, and Chinese officials seeking closer ties.