PLO Lumumba says France is losing influence across Africa, trashes Africa Forward Summit
By Mustafa Juma, June 8, 2026Pan-African scholar and lawyer PLO Lumumba has launched a scathing critique of France’s influence on the African continent, claiming that Paris is rapidly losing geopolitical and economic control across several African states.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Monday, June 8, 2026, Lumumba claimed that France is experiencing a decline in its traditional influence, particularly in West Africa, where several countries have recently moved to redefine their foreign policy and security partnerships.
“President Macron and France are in a state of panic. They are losing their influence on the African continent,” Lumumba said.
France’s Sahel region influence
He further argued that France has already lost significant strategic ground in the Sahel region, where countries have increasingly shifted away from French military and political presence in favour of alternative alliances.
“They have lost the entire Sahel. They are losing Senegal, Benin, and Togo; basically, they are neo-colonisers in decline,” he added.
Africa Forward Summit
Lumumba also took aim at the recently held Africa Forward Summit that was hosted in Nairobi, dismissing its intentions and framing it as an attempt by France to reposition itself on the continent under a new diplomatic narrative.
“So, when they very quickly arranged the Africa Forward Summit, it’s not Africa Forward; it’s France Forward,” he said, suggesting that the initiative serves French interests more than African priorities.
The two-day Africa Forward Summit concluded in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with African leaders calling for reforms in global financing systems, increased investment, and stronger partnerships built on equality and mutual respect.
Co-hosted by President William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, the summit brought together more than 30 African heads of state, business leaders, development partners, and innovators at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
During the closing sessions, leaders emphasized the need to reform the international financial architecture, arguing that African countries continue to face unfairly high borrowing costs due to negative risk perceptions by global lenders.
President Ruto said Africa’s challenge was not a lack of liquidity but a flawed “risk architecture” that locks the continent out of affordable financing.
He also extended his appreciation to Macron for demonstrating to Africans that he is a true friend who is willing to shape a new, forward-looking partnership between the West and Africa.
“Mr President, I want to extend my appreciation for your continued commitment to shaping a new forward-looking partnership between the West and Africa. We thank you so much,” Ruto stated.