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“France and its allies have been feeding fat on the resources of the Sahel region as though, it’s theirs. With the expulsion of France from the region, a trend that our political pendulum indicates will continue in all the Francophone countries until African nations get true political and economic independence”
*Dr. Umar Osabo
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | JANUARY 5, 2025
*Introduction
The recent expulsion of French troops from the Sahel region, particularly in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Senegal, underscores a significant and multifaceted geopolitical shift in West Africa. With France historically viewed as an imperial power in the region, the resistance exhibited by these nations against French military presence signifies a broader call for political sovereignty, economic independence, and local security solutions. This analysis will delve into the remote and immediate causes of these expulsions, examining the complex interplay between security concerns, historical grievances, and the pressing need for economic emancipation.
*Historical Context of French Presence in the Sahel
To understand the current dynamics, one must first appreciate the historical relationship between France and its former colonies. Following the dissolution of colonial rule, France established a framework of neocolonial influence through economic, military, and political means. This entrenchment has often been justified under the guise of protecting regional security and combating terrorism (Smith, 2022). However, local perceptions have shifted, leading to a growing sentiment against French neo-colonialism (Diakite, 2023). Not a mere sentiment as it sounds in the foregoing sentences, but a serious and graphic one as the result of Paris’s subtle ways of igniting security fire in the region. It will in turn send its troops to coil it. But in reality, the real deadly sponsor of almost all the terrorist activities in the Sahel region is France. In 2014, French fighter Jet was caught in the Sambisa forest of Borno State supplying logistics and training the callous Boko Haram terrorist group.
*Legacy of Colonialism
The legacy of colonialism in the Sahel has left deep scars, marked by economic dependency and political instability. France’s economic ties, primarily focused on extracting resources, have not translated into substantial development benefits for the region. Consequently, resentment has built up over decades, leading to a demand for a wholesale reevaluation of these relationships (Traoré, 2023). Backwardness is the right word to describe most of the Sahel countries because of the inhumane France activities in the region. Aside from printing the currency for the 14 countries in Africa that are still under its tutelage, 50 per cent of their foreign reserve has to be with Paris. And it can use it for whatever kind of business without the consent of its colonies! This bleak experience has kept the Sahel region in abject poverty despite its reach for mineral and human resources.
*Insecurity and Inefficacy of French Military Presence
The security situation in the Sahel has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with rising incidents of terrorism attributed to France’s sponsor terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates. French military interventions, initially welcomed, have faltered in their effectiveness, contributing to the climate of insecurity and local disillusionment (Zouma, 2023). In Mali, for instance, despite years of military support, French troops have been unable to curb the insurgency, leading to increasing calls for a withdrawal (Yero, 2023). How can the presence of French troops yield any tangible results when they are the ones sponsoring the terror groups? They had to do it because it was a ploy to keep the Sahel countries under its imperial regime. The juxtaposition of the French military presence and spate of insecurity in the region is like a coin of two sides: one side of it is the French troops and the other side is the terror group! This is a ploy to keep the troops whose major objective is to protect France’s interest, not to provide any security of any sort.
*Grassroots Movements and Popular Sentiment
Grassroots movements in Burkina Faso and Mali have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion against French military operations. Nationalist sentiments have emerged, framed by leaders as critical to reclaiming sovereignty and independence (Sidibe, 2023). Reports indicate that anti-French protests gained momentum, driven by widespread perceptions of ineffective security strategies and scepticism about France’s intentions in the region (Diaby, 2023). The body language of thousands of solidarity protests for the military junta in the Niger Republic and Chad has given us a more apt example.
*Political Realignments and Leadership Changes
Political changes in the Sahel, particularly during the coup d’état scenarios, have also influenced the expulsion of French troops. Leaders who rise to power through military coups often adopt nationalist rhetoric, capitalizing on historical grievances against former colonial powers (Lamine, 2023). The leadership transitions in Mali and Burkina Faso highlight an overt shift towards endorsing localized forms of governance over any foreign military engagements (Bamogo, 2023). This is a call for the much-awaited African Renaissance that every African nation ought to take a cue from the Sahel countries to emancipate itself.
*The Geopolitical Shift in Global Dynamics
The shifting geopolitical dynamics globally also contribute to the expulsion of France from the Sahel region. As global power structures evolve, particularly with the rise of new players such as Russia and China under the alliance of BRICS, African nations perceive an opportunity to reassert their agency on the international stage (Chen, 2023). France’s perceived decline in influence comes at a time when these countries are increasingly open to diversifying their partnerships beyond former colonial powers (Ndiaye, 2023). BRICS’ drive for a multipolar world has in many ways given fresh impetus to countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia to redefine their political sovereignty and strive for economic emancipation.
*Economic Challenges and Resource Exploitation
The Sahel countries grapple with pervasive economic challenges, which have historically been exacerbated by Western interventions that prioritize resource extraction over sustainable development (Konaté, 2023). The presence of French military forces is often seen as a facilitator for protecting French economic interests in the region, further fueling local disdain towards the French (Boussefi, 2023). The push for economic autonomy and a focus on local resources has intensified calls for expelling foreign troops that are viewed as gatekeepers of neo-colonialism. Even though the European countries always portrayed African countries as poorest and backwards, they refused to leave even after 6 decades of callous colonial rule. France doesn’t have any gold mine fields, but has one the highest reserve of gold and diamonds globally. The same scenario applies to the United Kingdom and Germany. This reminds one of the old saying:
The Colonists (thieves) are here for our goods not for our good. The letter of King Leopold II of Belgium to the Christian missionaries in the Federal Republic of Congo has us an apt example of colonial wanton stealing.
*The Role of Security Dynamics
The Sahel region faces significant security threats from both terrorist organizations and inter-communal conflicts believed to have been chiefly financed by Paris. The persistent violence and attacks have led to a situation where local governments are reevaluating their security partnerships (Fatou, 2023). The narrative of Western military operations being a solution to security dilemmas is increasingly viewed as inadequate and lie. Many now advocate for a more tailored and local approach to counter-terrorism as opposed to relying on foreign military presence (Ouedraogo, 2023). ( Who are the orchestrators and financiers of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS and Al-Shabab?
*Militarization and Its Discontents
The military response to security threats in the Sahel has often resulted in civil rights violations, loss of civilian lives, and a decreased sense of safety within communities. The counterproductive consequences of militarization bolster the argument for the withdrawal of French troops (Dieng, 2023). Civic groups and rights organizations have highlighted these issues, which have fostered a narrative of resistance against foreign military presences perceived to contribute to the cycle of violence (Sagna, 2023). The French troops’ presence in the Sahel has committed one of the greatest violations of human rights, murder, coup sponsorship and incitement of communal crisis as a divide-and-rule mechanism.
*Political Sovereignty and National Identity
The expulsion of French forces is as much about security concerns as it is about the assertion of political sovereignty and national identity (Kouyaté, 2023). Leaders in the region didn’t only leverage these sentiments to enhance their domestic legitimacy while challenging external influence but saw the urgent need to use the pivotal opportunity to kick France out and to rely on the domestic security architecture in fighting terrorist activities in the region which are mostly financed by France.
*Nationalism as a Political Tool
Nationalist movements have significantly altered the political landscape in the Sahel. By framing expulsion as a reclaiming of sovereignty, political leaders can galvanize support, garnering legitimacy from their populace who are increasingly weary of foreign interference (Tidiane, 2023). This dynamic is observed not only in policy-making but also in the formation of alliances between Sahelian nations themselves to combat mutual threats without French involvement (Seydou, 2023). Because the milking of the countries’ resources has to stop forthwith.
*Regional Cooperation and Solidarity
The expulsion draws attention to the potential for enhanced cooperation among Sahelian nations themselves—an important consideration as leaders seek to emphasize regional solidarity. Joint military strategies and intelligence sharing may serve as an alternative model that could prove more effective than reliance on foreign troops (Kone, 2023). This inclination toward regional cooperation underscores an emerging narrative that prioritizes self-governance. Others are the establishment of the Treasure Bank of Sahel (TBS) Alliance Sahel (AES) and plans to print their currency.
*Resource Management and Economic Independence
As nations in the Sahel endeavour to break free from the socioeconomic chains of colonialism, the management of local resources becomes central to discussions of economic emancipation. The resurgence of calls for local control over natural resources—such as gold, oil, and gas—reflects a desire to utilize these assets to foster development rather than allowing foreign entities to profit (Fofana, 2023). France and its allies have been feeding fat on the resources of the Sahel region as though, it’s theirs. With the expulsion of France from the region, a trend that our political pendulum indicates will continue in all the Francophone countries until African nations get true political and economic independence.
*Development Alternatives to Foreign Aid
A more significant aspect of economic emancipation is addressing the dependency on foreign aid, heavily tied to the military presence of global powers (Dabo, 2023). The Sahelian countries are called to transition from aid dependence to sustainable development strategies that are internally driven and accountable to local communities. In this context, expelling foreign military influences aligns with a broader ambition to build resilience against economic vulnerabilities to reexamine themselves or leave for good.
*Conclusion
The expulsion of French troops from Burkina Faso, Chad Mali, Niger, and Senegal encapsulates a pivotal moment in West African history. The interplay of historical grievances, immediate security needs, and aspirations for political sovereignty and economic independence together shape a narrative aimed at redefining relations with external powers known for wilting these nations’ efforts for a better life as sovereign nations.
The future trajectory of stability, security, and development in the Sahel will largely depend on how these nations navigate their relationships with local security agencies, their populations and foreign partners such as BRICS nations. As they reassess their security and economic frameworks, the expulsions represent not merely a rejection of external military presence but a broader existential claim to sovereignty and a vision for a self-determined future and the ultimate African Renaissance.
Dr Umar Osabo can be reached at umarmossbo@gmail.com
Read More Articles By Dr Umar Osabo in Pegasus Reporters
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