NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) 鈥� French President kicked off a visit to Kenya on Sunday ahead of the Africa Forward Summit, a gathering meant to showcase 鈥� a shift from a former colonial power seen as dominating to what Paris describes as a partnership of equals.
Held for the first time in an Anglophone country, the summit is expected to draw reactions to the withdrawal of French troops from West Africa that was completed last year amid France’s in recent years.
Since the independence of France’s former African colonies, France had maintained a policy of economic, , which included keeping thousands of troops in the region. But 鈥� and opposition figures 鈥� have often criticized France over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent.
Macron鈥檚 host, Kenyan President William Ruto, said both leaders expect the summit to be a 鈥渢urning point鈥� toward a better partnership.
Macron commented on the changing geopolitical landscape, saying France can 鈥渄isagree鈥� with West African governments but 鈥渘ever disagrees with the people.鈥�
The two-day summit, which starts on Monday, is expected to welcome 30 heads of state. Ten have arrived so far.
Kenya鈥檚 opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka slammed the choice of Kenya as a venue, describing it as country where democracy remains under threat, the opposition is under attack and human rights are being violated even as it prepares for the 2027 general election.
鈥淭here will be an air of pretense that we are a cohesive nation,” Musyoka said. “We know that is far from the truth.鈥�
Ruto on Sunday said Nairobi seeks to nurture a wide array of relationships and was 鈥渘either looking East nor West鈥� but 鈥渓ooking forward.鈥�
Also Sunday, Kenya and France signed 11 agreements involving investments in various sectors, including an ambitious nuclear energy plant, modernized transport, and sustainable agriculture.
Macron said the investments were aimed at strengthening 鈥渉uman capital,鈥� in line with the summit鈥檚 focus on innovation and Africa鈥檚 growing young population.
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