“I want no longer France to consider Africa as our backyard... I believe that we need a well-balanced partnership,” Macron said.

He added that the “transformation” France has pursued over the past decade is based on “state sovereignty and territorial integrity” in its engagement with the continent.

Macron also defended the participation of West African leaders at the summit amid criticism that the region was underrepresented. He acknowledged that three countries were excluded following military coups.

The French president referred to France’s military withdrawal from Mali, saying the decision was made at the request of Malian authorities but argued it had not benefited the country.

“The events have shown that this was not the best solution or the best option for Mali,” he said, while paying tribute to French soldiers killed there.