PARIS, June 12: France’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has just made a surprise visit to Libreville, the capital of the West African state of Gabon, to go ask that country’s longtime head of state, Omar Bongo, to intercede on France’s behalf in the growing conflict in Madagascar.

Quite symbolically, it was Villepin’s first trip not only to Africa, but also outside the European Union, and marks France’s decision to renew its links with its former French-speaking African colonies, and notably with Bongo, who is considered a respected figure on the African continent.

Until now, France had largely ignored the African continent, preferring, in recent years, to become more involved in other theatres of peace and war, whether they be in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Until now, Senegalese head of state Abdoulaye Wade had attempted to play the role of mediator in the dispute which has already resulted in bloody battles between supporters of both men, and could very well lead to a full-scale civil war unless something is done to bring about a reconciliation.