
Why Francophone Nations Are Kicking Out French Troops From Africa
Ivory Coast has become the latest West African nation to downscale military ties with former colonial power France. President Alassane Ouattara declared late last year December 2024 that French troops would withdraw from the country, ending a decades-long military presence. Speaking in an end-of-year address, President Alassane Ouattara announced that the withdrawal would start in January, “We have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in Ivory Coast,” Ouattara said.
This decision is part of a larger trend of African countries pushing France to reduce its military presence on the continent. The withdrawal of French troops from the Ivory Coast is a significant development, coming on the heels of similar requests from Senegal and Chad. Chad, in particular, has been a key ally for France in its fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region. However, with Chad’s decision to ask French troops to leave, France’s influence in the region has been greatly diminished.
France has been forced to pull out of several West African nations in recent years, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This is largely due to rising anti-French sentiment and military coups in the region. As a result, France’s military presence in Africa has been significantly reduced, with troops now only present in Djibouti and Gabon.
The question that arises is, what is driving this trend? For many Africans, it is about breaking free from the shackles of colonialism and forging new paths. They are seeking closer relations with other global powers, such as China and Russia, and asserting their independence from former colonial powers. As the Ivory Coast and other African nations continue to assert their sovereignty, it is clear that the old colonial relationships are being reevaluated and rewritten. This shift shows a growing desire for self-determination and independence, and even more African nations will likely push back against French military presence in the years to come.
France’s Military Presence and Partisan Perspective
France’s military presence in West Africa dates back to the colonial era. After independence, France maintained a significant military footprint in the region, ostensibly to provide security and stability. However, many Africans saw this presence as a continuation of colonialism, with France exerting significant influence over the region’s politics, economies, and security. This perception is not unfounded. France has historically maintained a network of military bases and agreements with African countries, allowing it to project power and influence across the region. While France has argued that its military presence is necessary to combat terrorism and instability, many Africans view it as a form of neocolonialism.
The legacy of colonialism continues to shape France’s relationships with African nations. Many Africans resent the fact that France has maintained a significant degree of control over their countries’ economies, politics, and security. This resentment has simmered for decades, occasionally boiling over into protests and anti-French sentiment.
In recent years, France has attempted to rebrand its relationship with Africa, emphasizing partnership and cooperation over colonialism and domination. However, many Africans remain sceptical, viewing France’s efforts as little more than a rehashing of old colonial relationships. Seidik Abba, a Nigerien researcher once said that France is struggling to accept that Africa has changed; “The former colonies are looking (out) for their interests. They’re not looking at their history with France,” Abba noted. As president of the International Center for Reflection for Studies on the Sahel, Abba believes French officials are out of touch. “The diplomats and other officials continue to consider that they have exclusive relations with African countries,” he said. However, as African countries are asserting their sovereignty and kicking out French troops, they are taking a significant step towards breaking free from the shackles of colonialism.
The Rise of Anti-French Sentiment
In recent years, anti-French sentiment has been on the rise in West Africa. Many Africans are increasingly frustrated with France’s perceived interference in their countries’ internal affairs. In a study published November last year 2024 on Afriquexxi, titled “Beyond “sentiment,” the reasons for France’s rejection in Africa”, some African activists express their views on the thorny issue of France’s rejection in Africa. Contrary to popular belief, some of the criticisms were based on deep and sometimes subtle political reflection; “When we say ’anti-French sentiment’, it’s as if Africans have a grudge against individual French people. For me, that’s not it. Rather, it’s a rejection of a system,” added a Beninese. “For the people interviewed, it is necessary to make a very clear distinction between criticism of the French state or decision-makers and the relationship with French citizens,” analyze the authors of the report. “We are simply denouncing their excessive interference in our politics,” points out an Ivorian. “Because we are patriots. What they would not want us to do in their country, they should not come and do [it] to us. That’s all.” part of the publication revealed.
Furthermore, the French government’s handling of the Sahel crisis has been criticized for being heavy-handed and dismissive of African concerns. The 2020 killing of three French soldiers in Mali, for example, sparked a wave of protests across the Sahel, with many demonstrators calling for the withdrawal of French troops.
The rise of social media has also played a significant role in fueling anti-French sentiment. Many Africans are using platforms like Twitter and Facebook to express their frustration with France’s actions in the region. Hashtags like #FranceGetOut and #AfricaIsNotAFrench Colony have become popular, reflecting a growing desire for African nations to assert their independence.
In addition, the influence of pan-Africanism and Afrocentrism has also contributed to the rise of anti-French sentiment. Many Africans are increasingly embracing their African identity and rejecting the legacy of colonialism. This shift in consciousness has created a sense of solidarity among Africans, who are now more likely to speak out against French interference in their affairs.
A Desire for Sovereignty
The decision by Ivory Coast and Senegal to expel French troops is, in part, driven by a desire for sovereignty. African nations are seeking to forge new partnerships that better reflect their interests. This shift is driven by a growing recognition that the old colonial relationships are no longer tenable and that Africa must take charge of its own destiny. As Geoffroy Julien Kouao, an Ivorian political scientist, noted, “African politicians want to diversify their relations, especially with the countries of the global south, such as China, Turkey, Brazil, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf, but also with Russia.” This desire for diversification reflects a growing sense of confidence among African nations, who are now more likely to assert their interests and challenge the status quo.
The desire for sovereignty is also driven by a sense of frustration with the current state of Africa-France relations. Many Africans feel that France has maintained a paternalistic attitude towards the continent, treating African nations as junior partners rather than equals. This has created a sense of resentment, with many Africans feeling that France is not taking their concerns seriously.
The Rise of New Partnerships and The Security Implications
The expulsion of French troops from Ivory Coast and Senegal is a game-changer for West Africa. It’s a clear sign that the region is breaking free from its colonial past and forging new relationships. China is one of the key players making moves in the region. The country has been investing heavily in Africa, pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure, energy, and other sectors. This has given a significant boost to economic growth and development in many African countries.
However, some critics are sounding a warning bell. They argue that China’s investments can create debt traps and undermine African sovereignty. Russia is another country making inroads in West Africa, providing military training and equipment to several countries. Thus, the withdrawal of French troops may have a significant impact on the region’s security, as France’s influence will be diminished, and the region will need to find new ways to tackle its security challenges.
However, this shift also raises important questions about the future of West Africa’s security landscape. As France’s influence diminishes, who will fill the power vacuum? How will the region address the ongoing security challenges, including jihadist violence and instability?
The answers to these questions will depend on the ability of African nations to work together, to forge new partnerships, and to take ownership of their security challenges. It will require a comprehensive and integrated approach, one that brings together military, economic, and social strategies. The international community also has a critical role to play in supporting the region’s security efforts.
Conclusively, as West Africa continues to navigate this new landscape, it is clear that the region is undergoing a significant shift. The old colonial relationships are being reevaluated and rewritten, and African nations are increasingly asserting their sovereignty and agency. While there are challenges ahead, the rise of new partnerships in West Africa offers a promising future for the region.