Media: Macron to visit four African nations this month

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on a diplomatic tour of Africa in the second half of November, with planned visits to Mauritius, South Africa, Gabon, and Angola, Jeune Afrique reports.

Macron will begin his trip on November 20–21 in Port Louis, Mauritius, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam to discuss maritime security and anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean, as well as the political situation in Madagascar following a recent coup.

Later on November 21, Macron will travel to South Africa to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. On the sidelines of the event, he is expected to hold talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with whom he frequently discusses the conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as well as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

On November 23, the French president will continue to Libreville, Gabon, for an official visit to President Brice Oligui Nguema, who has made several trips to France since assuming office.

Macron’s tour will conclude in Angola, where he will take part in the 7th EU–African Union Summit, chaired by Angolan President João Lourenço, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to Jeune Afrique, Macron hopes the tour will help him strengthen France’s diplomatic position on the African continent, where Paris faces growing competition from China and the United States.

Macron last visited Africa in April, when he travelled to Madagascar.

By Khagan Isayev