On Friday, it was announced that the French Army has now created an African Command center to deal with current issues on the continent; it is believed to be in response to them being chased out of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This new creation would be similar to the American AFRICOM. Although, it appears to be new, in reality, it is just like an iceberg which is now showing out its visible side for all to see. There have always been French forces on African soil, there has always been a cell meant to deal with Africa (militarily) in the French government; that is how the Francafrique happened! Now, in view of the loss of uranium from Niger, gold from Mali, many other resources from Burkina Faso, France is starting to lose its place among the top nations of this world, and quickly needs to try to regain the upper hand in its former colonies. Of course, the big reason (lie) given for this is, to help partner countries in the fight against terrorism (terrorism brought to us by them).

Excerpts below are from RFI.

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The French army has established a Command for Africa, similar to what the American armys have already done for a long time [AFRICOM], at a pivotal moment in the French military presence, in sharp decline on the continent, according to the Official Journal (JO).

… This unprecedented creation in France of an Africa Command comes as Paris plans to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to a few hundred men [reduce? Maybe transform the official army and soldiers into mercenaries as it was done with Bob Denard and co?], within the framework of “renovated” and more discreet partnerships [renovated, discreet? sounds more like the Bob Denard style or Elf?].

So is the redeployment of French forces in West and Central Africa at the origin of this creation? This is indeed the primary reason, because until now the French elements in Chad, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon each had a combined regional arms staff.

However, this permanent military presence is no longer in keeping with the times. The French contingent in Africa must, in the near future, be reduced to the bare minimum. …

… The concern for discretion is indeed the first desired effect. Informational attacks have made the French army radioactive [this foreign army works for foreign interests and thus has always been radioactive for African countries]. To change the situation, the army general staff wants to “reduce visibility and footprint”: very logically, this Africa Command will therefore be based in Paris.

But the objectives remain unchanged. This Command will be intended to organize support for partner countries in the fight against terrorism and the expansion of trafficking, the training of regional armies, and the access strategy. … the French military personnel will evolve according to needs and missions, but always in close collaboration with the host countries.

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