French President Emmanuel Macron received Benin's President Romuald Wadagni at the Elysee Palace on Monday, the first official visit to France since Wadagni took office in May. The two leaders discussed security, energy, training and culture, with Macron describing a relationship of equals based on "friendship, trust and ambition." The talks come as Paris seeks to rebuild ties in Africa after scaling back its military presence amid anti-French sentiment; France still trains Beninese pilots and special forces fighting insurgents in the north, while Benin presses for the return of looted 19th-century treasures still held in Paris museums.