Paris: Lawmakers push for new approach on Africa

France must "act urgently" and conduct reforms to restore its ties with Africa as Russia and China's influence is rising on the continent, according to a parliamentary report published on Wednesday.

The report was issued amid growing alarm in Paris over strong anti-French sentiment in some former colonies.

Penned by Bruno Fuchs of the centre-right Democratic Movement party and Michele Tabarot of the right-wing Republicans party, it said that France was struggling to "adapt" to change in Africa.

Africans, the report says, "are demanding a different policy from France."

"We must act urgently to avoid a risk of contagion and loss of trust."

The 170-page report was released after months of work that included dozens of interviews with African and French politicians, military personnel, representatives of civil society and journalists.

"Eager to renew its ties with Africa and avoid mistakes of the past, deprived of detailed knowledge of the continent and dependent on uncertain political choices, (France) now refuses to adopt a genuine 'African policy'," lamented the authors.