French Development Co-operation Policy

French development co-operation policy is part of a long story which cannot be separated from the country's colonial past, or the close relations between the public authorities and private interests and, more generally, the role France wants to play on the international stage. Relations between France and Africa have been built on decolonisation, interwoven public and private interests, and the role France has played in maintaining certain governments in power in accordance with the military co-operation agreements it has signed with the newly independent states.