Françafrique and regime theory

I position Françafrique within the theoretical framework of International Relations, and analyse it using regime theory. I show how this approach elucidates the nature and structure of Françafrique, and why it is especially valuable for assessing the continuity and changes of Franco-African relations during the past two decades. This approach helps us to determine whether we may speak of the normalization, the incremental adaptation or, instead, the confusion of France’s African policy today. The question is discussed using the concrete example of France’s foreign policy towards Côte d’Ivoire since 2000. I argue that this dynamic model of the interaction between structure and agents, which takes into account the complexity of the interplay of the systemic and domestic factors in state actors’ foreign policy decision-making, contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of North–South relations.