Traditionally divided on security matters, France and Britain broke new ground when they signed the 1998 Saint‐Malo agreement, promising to collaborate on defence and security, and pledging to cooperate bilaterally and in a ‘bi‐multi’ fashion on Africa. This Anglo‐French collaboration is the focus of this article, which begins by setting out the lack of UK–French security cooperation in Africa from the colonial to the early post‐Cold War era. It then shows how there has been a degree of institutionalization of Anglo‐French relations, alongside greater cooperation in terms of ESDP missions and the training of African peacekeepers. Next, this study explains the recent evolution of UK–French security relations in terms of neo‐classical realist theory. Finally, it assesses the likelihood of closer Anglo‐French security collaboration in the future.

Some well-known study abroad research fails to mention the date at which data was collected, while other papers aggregate studies undertaken a decade or more apart. This article suggests that the date at which a study was undertaken may significantly impact the study abroad context, and in particular that the varying availability and use of electronic communications across time and place can mean very different experiences for the students involved. The argument is illustrated by data from a 2009 questionnaire study of students undertaking a work placement in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa under a continuing programme organised for more than two decades by the University of Portsmouth, UK. The very different patterns of telecommunications development in home and host countries and the related pattern of use by students abroad, highlight the variability of this element of study abroad context and suggest areas to explore in subsequent qualitative studies. Some areas include, for example, links with the home environment, which students may be physically in a study abroad location, but virtually – that is to say affectively and psychologically – back in the home context. A situation such as this might be expected to hamper acculturation and social integration and thus reduce the benefits of the immersion experience.

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Key developments in Franco-African relations since 1994 are reviewed. Reservations are expressed about the widely held view that these relations have undergone a process of normalization in recent years and that France is disengaging from its traditional pré carré (sphere of influence) in Black Africa. Instead, it is argued that, under pressure from a rapidly evolving international environment and a changing domestic policy context, a partial modernization of French African policy has taken place. This new global environment has put constraints on French African policy but has also presented France with new opportunities to pursue its national interests in Africa, in the context of globalization and international liberalism. However, certain features of the special relationship remain, such as the role played in Franco-African relations by the réseaux (personal networks). It is therefore concluded that, while a process of adaptation has indeed taken place, Franco-African relations are at present in a period of transition.

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