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France to change African links France to change African links
(10 minutes later)
France will renegotiate its defence deals with African countries, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said.France will renegotiate its defence deals with African countries, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said.
It has military accords with several of its former colonies and recently helped the Chad government repulse rebels.It has military accords with several of its former colonies and recently helped the Chad government repulse rebels.
The changes would mark a "major turning point", he said, with further details to be announced in a speech to the South African parliament.The changes would mark a "major turning point", he said, with further details to be announced in a speech to the South African parliament.
Mr Sarkozy has said that the previously cosy relationships between France and some African leaders should end.Mr Sarkozy has said that the previously cosy relationships between France and some African leaders should end.
Military interventionMilitary intervention
France has what it terms "defence agreements", providing for direct military intervention, with Central African Republic, Gabon, Senegal and Ivory Coast.France has what it terms "defence agreements", providing for direct military intervention, with Central African Republic, Gabon, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
We are now in the 21st century as opposed to the 20th President Nicolas Sarkozy
It also has several military bases on the continent with thousands of troops stationed in Djibouti, Senegal and Gabon.It also has several military bases on the continent with thousands of troops stationed in Djibouti, Senegal and Gabon.
"We are now in the 21st century as opposed to the 20th," said Mr Sarkozy, outlining the change in French policy. FRENCH MILITARY PRESENCE Largest military base: Djibouti Other main bases: Dakar (Senegal); Libreville (Gabon)1,200 troops in Chad, including in the capital, N'Djamena, to protect French nationals300 troops in Bangui (CAR) Approx 3,000 troops in Ivory Coast under a UN mandate Source: Council on Foreign Relations "We are now in the 21st century as opposed to the 20th," said Mr Sarkozy, outlining the change in French policy.
He said the changes had been made through "quiet diplomacy" and all France's partners in Africa had been informed. The full details of the new defence agreements would be published, he added.He said the changes had been made through "quiet diplomacy" and all France's partners in Africa had been informed. The full details of the new defence agreements would be published, he added.
Dubious dictators
The French president was quoted earlier in the Johannesburg Star newspaper as saying that France no longer needed to play a policing role on the continent.The French president was quoted earlier in the Johannesburg Star newspaper as saying that France no longer needed to play a policing role on the continent.
FRENCH MILITARY PRESENCE Largest military base: Djibouti Other main bases: Dakar (Senegal); Libreville (Gabon)1,200 troops in Chad, including in the capital, N'Djamena, to protect French nationals300 troops in Bangui (CAR) Approx 3,000 troops in Ivory Coast under a UN mandate Source: Council on Foreign Relations
Correspondents say Paris has been accused in the past of supporting dubious dictators in Africa while ignoring corruption.Correspondents say Paris has been accused in the past of supporting dubious dictators in Africa while ignoring corruption.
Mr Sarkozy arrived in South Africa after a brief stay in Chad, where French forces helped evacuate foreigners as rebels entered the capital last month. France provided logistical help to the government in N'Djamena.Mr Sarkozy arrived in South Africa after a brief stay in Chad, where French forces helped evacuate foreigners as rebels entered the capital last month. France provided logistical help to the government in N'Djamena.
His talks with South African leaders were expected to centre on trade. He is accompanied by 40 French business executives.His talks with South African leaders were expected to centre on trade. He is accompanied by 40 French business executives.
The French company Areva is hoping to build the country's second nuclear reactor.The French company Areva is hoping to build the country's second nuclear reactor.
The South African foreign ministry said the talks would also cover more French investment in transport and vehicle manufacture.The South African foreign ministry said the talks would also cover more French investment in transport and vehicle manufacture.
Tensions in Chad and the Darfur crisis were also expected to be on the agenda.Tensions in Chad and the Darfur crisis were also expected to be on the agenda.