French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would not be the one to completely fix Africa’s problems even as he declared that Africans should build their future not outside, but in Africa.
Macron was speaking at a joint press conference yesterday after a close-door meeting with President Muhammmadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.
Asked what were France’s plans to curb terrorism in Africa, Macron said, “First of all, I think the main plan is an African plan and France is not the one to solve or fix African situations. So, what we want to do is that we will intervene and maintain our presence in Africa and Sahel to fight against terrorism especially in Mali and in the region. And we will stay as long as it is requested by our friends especially Mali we discussed yesterday (Monday) about this issue.
“But what is important to me is how the different African governments organise themselves to fight against terrorism and get rid of these people and especially jihadist. That’s why I do promote the G5/Sahel Initiatives and I think as far as we are organised, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon is very important.”
When asked why he accepted the invitation to come to Nigeria, he said; “I believe it is time to build a new common narrative together. And this new narrative is not based on what is important to Europeans, but what is important to Africans. They determine what is important to them, they determine what is important to them in their culture. The shrine is important to Africa’s culture and that’s why I accepted the invitation.”
“You have to recognise the bad deeds and the negatives, but you have to move forward. We have to focus on building the future. European leaders are not here to nurture African leaders. African leaders are responsible for nurturing African leaders. And it is important to let them know that they should build their future not outside, but in Africa,” he added.
Macron, in a post on Twitter, said “It’s very emotional for me to come back to Nigeria 17 years after my stay. I didn’t imagine I’d be back in these conditions.”
It’s very emotional for me to come back to Nigeria 17 years after my stay. I didn’t imagine I’d be back in these conditions. pic.twitter.com/HNlorCiwqA
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 3, 2018
President Buhari confirmed that he and his visitor discussed security and economy.
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