As soon as Macron’s victory was announced North African leaders, notably France’s former colonies, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia sent congratulatory letters expressing optimism over future relations with France. Macron said last April that Morocco is on top of the countries that he will visit as soon as he wins elections. He considered Morocco a key player in his Mediterranean and African strategy, said Macron’s diplomatic adviser Aurélien Lechevallier. Bouteflika said in the message that Macron’s “unprecedented statements” set the tone for a “genuine reconciliation” between France and Algeria. His victory was hailed by his supporters as holding back a tide of populism after the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 08, 2017 15:43 UTC