Kouchner takes over resigned minister's tasks
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has promised a closer relationship with Africa, the day after Alain Joyandet stepped down as secretary of state for cooperation. The Elysée has stressed, though, that the office for cooperation has not been suspended or diminished.
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President Nicolas Sarkozy has decided not to replace Joyandet, whose job has reverted to the foreign affairs ministry.
Joyandet resigned on Sunday after revelations that he had spent 116,500 euros on a private jet.
Kouchner promised “renewed, reinforced action”, and called for imagination, solidarity and fraternity with Africa.
I don’t think he had any significant role to play,” comments political analyst Dominique Moisi. “I don’t think there will be any change in French policies in Africa.”
Joyandet was a minor figurehead who did not have much influence, he says.
“When it came to the African policy of France, in fact when it comes to the foreign policy of France, there is only one actor and that’s the president,” said Moisi. “There is no space for a junior minister, not even for a foreign minister.”
The foreign ministry says it will continue to use its diplomatic network and financing agency, Agence française de développement (AFD).
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