Why anti-French sentiments grow in Sahel

France was a strong colonial power in many African countries, especially the West African sub region for many years. The former colonial nation, which considers itself a military power in the sub region and has intervened militarily in the volatile Sahel, has been facing rising hostile sentiments across the region in recent years. Over the […]

France was a strong colonial power in many African countries, especially the West African sub region for many years. The former colonial nation, which considers itself a military power in the sub region and has intervened militarily in the volatile Sahel, has been facing rising hostile sentiments across the region in recent years.

Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of complaints and demonstrations against the continued interference of France in its former colonies, both in urban and rural areas of the former colonies, especially in the Sahel.

Although France still has military bases in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Gabon, Djibouti, and Chad, analysts and diplomats believe that in recent years, France witnessed a substantial reduction in its influence over its former African colonies.

 

Expulsion of French troops from Sahel

Following the withdrawal of the 4,500-strong Operation Barkhane force from Mali in August 2022, French forces exited Burkina Faso in February 2023. It was again followed by the French troops exiting Niger in December 2023.

In Burkina Faso, the departure happened as a result of a brief four-week deadline from Captain Ibrahim Traore’s military-led administration.

Since Traore’s ascension to power, ties between the two countries have grown worse, and Burkina Faso has been looking more and more to Russia for support, including military aid and a nuclear power plant project. Russia’s increasing power in the area was further evidenced by the Wagner Group’s Russian mercenaries’ entry.

In Niger, withdrawal of French forces came five months after the military took over in Niamey. France withdrew 1,500 soldiers from the country, citing the action as one of its main objectives.

As the final French personnel left Niger on December 22, the Nigerien army seized control of French military installations there. The action finalised earlier departures from Burkina Faso earlier in 2023 and from Mali in 2022, severely damaging France’s already damaged military prestige.

Meanwhile, France had declared in September 2023 that it would no longer provide new visas to students from Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, citing deteriorating security ties with the military-led governments of West Africa.

 

Diplomat’s analysis

In an interview with Weekend Trust, Ambassador Suleiman Dahiru, a seasoned diplomat, condemned France for maintaining significant political and economic control over its former African colonies, particularly in the Sahel.

Dahiru’s insight into the current geopolitical dynamics in Francophone Africa underscored the complicated and dynamic relationships between former colonies in the Sahel and their former colonial power, France.

He expressed strong criticism of France’s post-independence policies, which he believes have impeded the freedom and growth of these countries.

Dahiru likened the growing anti-French sentiments in the region to its obsessive control over the internal affairs of its former colonies. 

“France’s problem is that after independence, it did not allow its former colonies to enjoy their freedom, politically and economically. France wants to be involved in what is happening in those countries. Economically, they made sure they controlled the economy of their former colonies, including keeping their foreign reserves in France,” Dahiru said.

He emphasised that France’s influence stretched far beyond economic dominance, noting how the former colonial power dominated resource management in these countries.

“France benefitted from the resources of those countries most unfairly,” he added, referencing Niger’s uranium as an example and arguing that it is being used for the benefit of the colonial masters, to the disadvantage of Niger people.

Why diplomatic ties were severed 

The ambassador noted that growing hostility among Sahelian states, like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger culminated in their decision to abandon France, implying their discontent with a relationship they felt was excessively reliant and unequal.

“When these Sahelian countries decided to expel France, it was because they were completely fed up with the kind of dependency on the foreign power. France had military bases in those countries, making it almost impossible for them to decide on what to do,” Dahiru explained.

He also mentioned France’s role in coups in Francophone Africa, which he alleged occurred whenever French interests were deemed to be affected.

Regarding the time of this resistance, Dahiru emphasised the rise of patriotic leaders that put national interests over subservience to previous colonial countries. 

“It is now manifesting because the countries now have leaders who are patriotic enough; they are thinking of their countries. They are not thinking of being subservient to the former colonial power,” he said.

 

Turning to Russia 

However, Dahiru raised reservations about the growing ties between these countries and Russia, saying, “I don’t know whether allowing Russia to come in now is good politics or not, but time will tell.”

Asked about the future of French military deployments, the diplomat indicated that France migrates its personnel to other former colonies, such as Chad and the Central African Republic, or even repatriates them. He said, “France has other former colonies. They can deploy them to Chad, Central African Republic. It is not that they don’t have where to send them; and they can send them back home.”

 

Mending ties

The diplomat also discussed the idea of strengthening relations between France and the Sahel countries but expressed reservations about the prospects under the present military leaders. 

Contrary to popular belief, Dahiru said civilian-led governments in other former colonies, such as Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin Republic may keep diplomatic relations with France since they are more willing to negotiate and resolve current issues. 

“France may continue to have good relationships with the countries headed by civilians and wait till they are replaced with the military, then try to mend relationships,” he said.

However, a top French diplomat, during a recent courtesy visit to a media outlet in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, expressed belief in the strong and positive relationship between France and Nigeria.