YAOUNDE, French President Emmanuel Macron started a three-leg Africa tour in Cameroon on Tuesday, a trip meant to strengthen political ties with the continent and help boost agricultural production amid growing food insecurity linked to the war in Ukraine.
The mineral-rich central African nation is a major food producer for the region and Macron’s delegation will seek investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
He will meet Cameroon’s President Paul Biya in the capital Yaounde, as well as the French community and civil society representatives. Many African nations are facing food and energy security issues due to their dependence on Russian grain and energy, but they also buy Ukrainian grain which has been disrupted by the conflict.
African governments have largely avoided taking sides and refused to join Western condemnation and sanctions over Russia’s behavior.
But the anti-French sentiment is rising in France’s former West African colonies, where security concerns and political instability following a string of coups are stoking frustration and swinging public opinion in favor of Russia.
Cameroon is grappling with sharp increases in prices for oil, fertilizer, and foodstuffs. Severe fuel shortages hit the capital Yaounde last week leading to long queues at petrol stations. Macron will head to Benin on Wednesday and Guinea-Bissau on Thursday.
