Trudeau at French-speaking summit in Tunisia amid ‘battle of influence’ for Africa

DJERBA, Tunisia — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began a brief visit to Africa on Saturday as part of what his foreign affairs minister described as a fight for power on the continent between democratic and authoritarian states. “The reality is there is a battle of influence that is happening around the world, and one of the battlefields is definitely Africa,” Mélanie Joly told reporters in Tunisia. “It is important for us to show up, and be able to engage while China and Russia are definitely trying to exert their influence.” Joly’s remarks came halfway through the weekend summit of the…