By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of France, Emmanuel Macron has accused Russia of being “a power destabilising Africa”, noting that this has been documented by the United Nations in the Central African Republic.
The French leader in an interview on Friday with franceinfo/RFI/France 24 on the sidelines of a Paris summit, pointed out that the Russian mercenary in Africa, the Wagner has committed violent acts against the civil populace on the continent.
This comes amidst claim by Moscow that it was developing “constructive relations” with Africa.
According to Macron, “It is a power destabilising Africa through private militias that come to predate and commit acts of violence against civilian populations”.
In his view, “Russia has of its own volition put itself in a situation where it no longer respects international law, where it has once again become one of the few colonial powers of the 21st century, by waging a war of empire against its neighbour, Ukraine”.
Since its last year’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sought to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with Africa, competing in some countries with France, a former colonial power on the continent.
Macron did not rule out the possibility of holding talks with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, if the opportunity arose and the conditions were right.
Asked if the Russian president calls him tomorrow? “Of course, I’ll pick up the phone”, Mr. Macron said.
“If he calls me to propose something, I’ll take it, because France has always been a facilitating and mediating power”.
But, he qualified, “the resumption of dialogue is only possible if there is respect for international law, which is the only one that allows us to live in peace”.
He also reiterated that he himself had “no reason to call Vladimir Putin today”, during the Ukrainian counter-offensive. “The time will come, I hope, for negotiations on Ukraine’s terms”.
Moscow in response however dismissed the accusations, assuring that it was developing “constructive relations” in Africa with the continent’s countries.
“Russia is developing (with African countries) friendly, constructive relations based on mutual respect”, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters.
These relations “are not and cannot be directed against third countries”, he also stressed.
