Analysis of Macron's visit to Kenya

In his 2023 consultation on "Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa", former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo*1 steadfastly defended his position that Western liberal democracy had not proven effective for the continent.

The former president argued that the Western model did not take into account Africa's unique history, culture, and traditions. As organizer of the meeting, Obasanjo explained that the Western style of democracy in Africa was faltering because it neglected the opinions of the majority. He claimed that the government's representation of only a fraction of the people led to the exclusion of the majority. Obasanjo described Western liberal democracy as "a government of a few people over the whole people" and criticized its inability to fully represent the diverse population. He argued that African countries should adopt what he calls "Afro-democracy" and assured that they should not operate a system of government in which they have no hand in its definition and design. Obasanjo delved further into the weaknesses and failures of liberal democracy, tracing them back to its history, its content, and its context. He questioned the exclusion of the minority in a system that claims to be based on the rule of the majority. In his keynote address, the former president called for a critical examination of the practice of liberal democracy. He called on the participants, including leading figures from academia and people with political experience, to identify the shortcomings of the current system and to propose ideas and recommendations for a more suitable governance model. This is a good starting point for analyzing French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Kenya. Emmanuel Macron's visit to Kenya and the Africa Forward Summit in May 2026 will reignite the debate on reshaping Western liberal democracy in the African context. There are several reasons for this: France's efforts to rethink its relationship with Africa, the historical traumas of colonialism, and the ongoing debate about the suitability of Western political models for the continent. The Africa Forward summit in Nairobi focused on strengthening France's relations with English-speaking African countries. Macron announced investments of around $27 billion in the African economy, with a focus on energy, artificial intelligence, and agriculture. He also emphasized his desire for "strategic autonomy" for Europe and Africa, which he believes would strengthen their positions in the world. Macron's visit and his behavior (for example, his sharp rebuke of the audience during a youth forum for noise disturbance) provoked mixed reactions. Some interpreted it as a sign of respect for order, others as paternalistic. This reflects a broader discourse on the role of external influences in African affairs. Discussions about a realignment of Western democracy in Africa are not new. Obasanjo proposed the concept of "Afro-democracy"—a system of government based on African traditions and values. Among the problems he identified with the Western model were: A majority system that ignores minorities. In his view, liberal democracy often degenerates into a "government of the few over all". The competitive nature of the party system intensifies centrifugal forces in multi-ethnic African societies and divides society. Incompatibility with cultural realities. Traditional African societies often practice consensus decisions instead of majority decisions. Other critics pointed out that the Western model of democracy in Africa often leads to corruption, one-party dictatorships, ethnic conflicts and economic problems. Discussions about redesigning democracy in Africa have proposed various approaches: - Consensus model. Based on traditional African practices where decisions are made after lengthy discussions until a near-unanimous agreement is reached. - Mixed systems that combine modern democratic principles with local traditions, such as elements of community government or elder mediation. - Cultural sensitivity. Some concepts, for example, emphasize the importance of a balance between individual initiatives and community solidarity. At the same time, proponents of a redesign of democracy emphasize that this does not mean the complete abandonment of democratic principles, but rather their adaptation to African realities. Not related to Macron's visit Macron's visit and his initiatives can be viewed within the context of these discussions. On the one hand, his focus on investments and partnerships can be understood as an attempt to strengthen economic relations without directly imposing political models. On the other hand, the historical legacy of colonialism and the continuing external influence (for example, through international financial institutions) continue to fuel skepticism regarding the true motives behind such initiatives. Macron's visit to Kenya and the Africa Forward summit are taking place against the backdrop of an ongoing dialogue about what democracy in Africa should look like – as a system that takes into account local historical, cultural and social characteristics, rather than simply copying Western models. In the context of Africa, "strategic autonomy" usually refers to the EU's efforts to strengthen its capacity for action in foreign, security, and economic policy, among other things, through a restructured relationship with Africa – often with the aim of decoupling itself from competing powers (e.g., China, Russia) in terms of raw materials, energy, and infrastructure. At the same time, the debate is viewed critically by African nations because the question of Africa's own strategic autonomy is also central to the issue. Africa plays a central role in the European logic of "strategic autonomy" as a supplier of raw materials and energy (e.g., critical minerals, green hydrogen) and as a market for infrastructure and economic projects. Initiatives such as the "Global Gateway" or corridor projects (e.g., the Lobito Corridor) aim to diversify supply chains and reduce EU dependence on other powers by strengthening European cooperation with Africa. In its current discourse on Africa, the EU speaks of a "partnership on equal terms" to gradually transform traditional development cooperation into an economic and political partnership. The aim is to strengthen Africa as an equal partner in the implementation of climate goals, industrialization, and the circular economy, thereby simultaneously improving its own strategic autonomy (securing raw materials, migration, energy). In African debates, “strategic autonomy” is often understood as independent agency, not dictated by the EU agenda: Africa should be able to develop its own industrial policies, trade rules, and security structures, instead of primarily being a supplier for European autonomy projects. Critics warn that many EU projects—even when formulated as “autonomy”—can reinforce existing structures of dependency, for example through unequal trade agreements or infrastructural dependencies. The risks The realignment of Western liberal democracy in the African context is fraught with risks stemming from historical, cultural, political, and economic factors. These risks can hinder the development of sustainable democratic institutions and lead to new challenges. In the absence of clear alternative models, or when attempts to adapt to democratic institutions fail, there is a risk of strengthening authoritarian tendencies. Research has shown that in countries where the economic, social, and cultural prerequisites for freedom and self-governance are not yet in place, democracy can only fulfill destructive functions. Under such conditions, the establishment of an autocracy is sometimes perceived by the population as a means of ending anarchy and tyranny. Examples from African history show that multi-party systems, in the context of ethnic, tribal, social, economic, and religious contradictions, can become an instrument for destabilizing society. This creates the conditions for anti-democratic forces to come to power through democratic means. African societies are often characterized by high ethnic, religious, and regional diversity. Attempts to reshape democracy could exacerbate these disparities if new models of government fail to balance the interests of different groups. For example, a majority system that ignores minorities can reinforce centrifugal forces and divide society. Artificial geographical boundaries from the colonial era continue to cause tension. People with a shared ethnic identity feel separated by national borders, which sometimes leads to conflict. There is a risk that the redesign of democracy will become merely a formal process without genuine change. Foreign institutional innovations imposed by force could be rejected, only partially implemented, imitated, or adapted to existing conditions instead of being transformed. This can lead to the emergence of a "sham democracy" in which the external characteristics of a democracy (elections, political parties) are present, but no genuine citizen participation in governance or the protection of their rights is guaranteed. Liberal economic models, often accompanied by democratic reforms, do not always take into account the realities of Africa. Neoliberal policies, focused on market growth and privatization, have in some cases exacerbated economic hardship, widened the gap between rich and poor, and perpetuated dependence on foreign aid and investment. This undermines the democratic ideals of equal opportunity and social justice. Western democratic norms and practices are not always compatible with the cultural diversity of African societies. Issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, gender issues, and secularism can clash with traditional and national beliefs and norms in certain communities. This can lead to social polarization and weaken social cohesion. The redesign of democracy can serve as a pretext for geopolitical rivalries between external powers seeking to promote their own models of government and exert influence over African countries. This can take the form of economic pressure, support for specific political forces, or even military intervention. Many African countries lack strong democratic institutions, and corruption and poor governance remain serious problems. Without strengthening institutional foundations, any attempts to reshape democracy could prove ineffective. Corruption and a lack of transparency in governance exacerbate mutual distrust between social groups and undermine trust in democratic processes. Conclusion Reimagining Western liberal democracy in Africa is a complex and multifaceted process that must take into account the continent's historical, cultural, economic, and political specificities. Neglecting these factors could lead to increased authoritarianism, ethno-religious conflict, sham democracy, growing inequality, and external interference. The success of such efforts depends significantly on the ability to develop inclusive governance models that reflect the diversity of African realities, as well as on strengthening institutions and combating corruption. *1 is a Nigerian politician, general and statesman who played a central role both as a military ruler and as the democratically elected president of Nigeria.