French President

Macron To Meet Embattled Ivory Coast Leader Friday

September 3, 2020 5:27 pm

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet in Paris on Friday with his Ivory Coast counterpart Alassane Ouattara, whose surprise decision last month to seek a third term has thrown his country into turmoil.

France had welcomed the “historic decision” last March by Ouattara, 78, not to run for re-election, hoping the move would encourage other longstanding African leaders to embrace more democratic regimes.

Read Also: Macron To Protesters: France Will Not Tear Down Statues Of Racists

But the death of his prime minister, who many say was poised to succeed him, prompted a reversal that has sparked weeks of deadly …

French President Macron Defends Minister Accused Of Rape

July 14, 2020 6:10 pm

PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday new Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin should not be made a “victim of a judgment on the streets” after protests against his appointment because the minister is under investigation for rape.

a man wearing a suit and tie: Bastille Day parade in Paris

Darmanin has denied the allegation that he coerced a woman into having sex in 2009 when she sought his help in having her criminal record cleared, and a judge dismissed the case against him after a preliminary investigation into the allegation was dropped.

A judicial source told Reuters last month the Paris appeal court had ordered the investigation …

Life Will Not Return To Normal Soon: President Macron

May 2, 2020 6:48 am

French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that the end of the national lockdown on May 11 would only be a first step as France looks to pull out of the crisis created by the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Traditional Labour Day protests that usually see thousands of demonstrators on streets were cancelled this year due to the virus outbreak that has killed 24,000 people across France.

“May 11 will not be the passage to normal life. There will be a recovery that will need to be reorganised,” Macron said in a speech at the presidential palace after a meeting …

Debt Moratorium Essential To Help Africa Fight Virus

April 15, 2020 6:28 pm

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called for a moratorium on the debt of African countries as “an essential step” to help the continent get through the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking in an interview with Radio France Internationale, Macron urged G20 finance ministers meeting Wednesday to take action on a moratorium as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to overwhelm the fragile health systems of the poorest countries.

The moratorium would be a first step towards full cancellation of African debt, he said.

“At a time of crisis, we need to give the African economies a break rather than servicing the interest on …