٠٠:٠٢:١٢President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders from French-speaking countries to Chateau de Villers-Cotterets on Friday as the 'Francophonie' summit returned to France for the first time in 33 years.
Footage shows Macron and wife Brigitte shaking hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Tunisia's Kamel Madouri and Moroccan PM Aziz Akhannouch. Later, representatives from more than 100 states and governments are seen assembling for a family photo.
The 19th edition of the biannual conference comes as France looks to regain its sway over former colonies in Africa, where a series of coups in recent years have seen military juntas replace friendly governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The military takeovers were followed by widespread anti-France protests while new leadership in all three Sahel nations demanded French troops, who had previously deployed to tackle Islamic terrorism, withdraw from the region.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would later withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and form the Sahel States Alliance (AES), accusing the organisation of being 'under the influence of foreign powers'.
France also faces a crisis in former colony Lebanon, where Israel has launched waves of airstrikes and a 'limited' ground incursion following months of cross-border shelling after October 7.
It comes as Marcon faces discontent at home after a rise in popularity for Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party, which forced him to call for a snap legislative election and later nominate Michel Barnier as prime minister at the head of a minority government.
Macron hosts 'Francophonie' summit as Paris aims to regain influence in Africa
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders from French-speaking countries to Chateau de Villers-Cotterets on Friday as the 'Francophonie' summit returned to France for the first time in 33 years.
Footage shows Macron and wife Brigitte shaking hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Tunisia's Kamel Madouri and Moroccan PM Aziz Akhannouch. Later, representatives from more than 100 states and governments are seen assembling for a family photo.
The 19th edition of the biannual conference comes as France looks to regain its sway over former colonies in Africa, where a series of coups in recent years have seen military juntas replace friendly governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The military takeovers were followed by widespread anti-France protests while new leadership in all three Sahel nations demanded French troops, who had previously deployed to tackle Islamic terrorism, withdraw from the region.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would later withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and form the Sahel States Alliance (AES), accusing the organisation of being 'under the influence of foreign powers'.
France also faces a crisis in former colony Lebanon, where Israel has launched waves of airstrikes and a 'limited' ground incursion following months of cross-border shelling after October 7.
It comes as Marcon faces discontent at home after a rise in popularity for Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party, which forced him to call for a snap legislative election and later nominate Michel Barnier as prime minister at the head of a minority government.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders from French-speaking countries to Chateau de Villers-Cotterets on Friday as the 'Francophonie' summit returned to France for the first time in 33 years.
Footage shows Macron and wife Brigitte shaking hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Tunisia's Kamel Madouri and Moroccan PM Aziz Akhannouch. Later, representatives from more than 100 states and governments are seen assembling for a family photo.
The 19th edition of the biannual conference comes as France looks to regain its sway over former colonies in Africa, where a series of coups in recent years have seen military juntas replace friendly governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The military takeovers were followed by widespread anti-France protests while new leadership in all three Sahel nations demanded French troops, who had previously deployed to tackle Islamic terrorism, withdraw from the region.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger would later withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and form the Sahel States Alliance (AES), accusing the organisation of being 'under the influence of foreign powers'.
France also faces a crisis in former colony Lebanon, where Israel has launched waves of airstrikes and a 'limited' ground incursion following months of cross-border shelling after October 7.
It comes as Marcon faces discontent at home after a rise in popularity for Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party, which forced him to call for a snap legislative election and later nominate Michel Barnier as prime minister at the head of a minority government.