Farewell, Françafrique: West Africa’s Rising Defiance Against French Hegemony

The era of West Africa’s subjugation to French interests appears to be drawing to a close, writes Akhil Bakshi

France's influence in West Africa has long extended beyond economics.

(Photo: Vibhushita Singh/ The Quint)

A transformative wave of change is sweeping through West Africa. Once tethered to France by historical, economic, and political ties, the region is now boldly asserting its independence.

Recent moves by President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, who demanded the withdrawal of 600 French troops, and Senegal's President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, who declared an end to France's military presence by 2025, mark significant milestones in this growing revolt against French influence. 

The sentiment driving this defiance is not new. Just over a year ago, I embarked on The Great West African Safari, a five-week journey through eleven West African nations.

On a stretch of road between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro, a convoy of French armoured vehicles approached us. Our driver lowered his window and defiantly raised his middle finger as the soldiers passed, a raw, visceral expression of the simmering resentment many in the region harbour. 

Colonial Legacies That Linger

France's colonial venture in West Africa began during the notorious "Scramble for Africa" in the late 19th century. Territories such as Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Benin, and Togo were brought under French dominion. The colonial administration was designed not to uplift these regions but to extract their wealth with minimal investment in infrastructure or human development.

Cash crops like peanuts, cocoa, and cotton were forcibly cultivated, disrupting traditional agricultural systems and leaving local economies dependent on the whims of European markets. 

West Africa, rich in resources such as gold, bauxite, uranium, and oil, became a wellspring of raw materials for France. Even after gaining formal independence in the 1960s, many key industries remained under the control of French multinational corporations ensuring a steady flow of profits back to France. Environmental degradation and poverty became the enduring legacies of this resource plundering. 

Grip of the Franc, Trade Imbalances

One of France's most enduring tools of economic control is the CFA franc currency system, established in 1945. Still in use by 14 African countries, it ties their economies to the French Treasury and the euro, leaving them with limited financial autonomy. 

The CFA franc system stirs up a lot of debate. Countries have to park half their foreign exchange reserves in France, and the fixed exchange rate with the euro makes our exports less competitive globally. France still calls the shots on monetary policy, giving us little say in managing our economies.

A hotel manager in Conakry, Guinea.

Crossing the Gambia River from Banjul to Barra, a school teacher from Niger shared how his country's uranium, essential for France's nuclear power, was purchased at a fraction of its international value.

This unequal trade relationship persists, with French corporations dominating sectors like telecommunications, energy, and retail.

Local businesses struggle to compete, and West African nations remain exporters of raw materials while importing finished goods from France. This colonial-era trade structure stifles industrial development and leaves the region vulnerable to global market shocks.

Military Presence Under Fire

In Sierra Leone, I arrived just five days after a failed military coup. A telecom engineer in Freetown confided, "These coups often aim to overthrow puppet leaders installed by France, though Western media portrays them differently." 

France's influence in West Africa has long extended beyond economics. Through the infamous "Françafrique" network, it meddled in political affairs, backing authoritarian leaders who safeguarded French interests. Figures such as Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast, Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, Idriss Déby of Chad, Omar Bongo of Gabon, Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo, and Paul Biya of Cameroon were propped up despite allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.

Under the guise of combating terrorism, France launched Operation Barkhane in 2014, deploying troops across the Sahel region. Yet many locals viewed this military presence as a means to protect French economic interests rather than genuinely address regional security concerns. 

The backlash has grown louder, with leaders like Mali's Assimi Goïta and Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré seeking expulsion of French troops and seeking alliances with Russia and China. Protests against the CFA franc and French military presence have become increasingly common.

Winds of Change

West Africa is charting a new course. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is pushing for a unified currency, the "Eco," to replace the CFA franc. Despite French resistance, the momentum for change is undeniable.

Media outlets across the region are amplifying this shift. Burkina Faso's Le Pays has highlighted how French corporations disproportionately benefit from resource extraction. Mali's Maliweb celebrated the withdrawal of French troops as a victory for sovereignty, while hashtags like #FranceDegage ("France Get Out") have trended on social media. Le Monde Afrique has acknowledged the growing appeal of partnerships with China and Russia. 

The era of West Africa’s subjugation to French interests appears to be drawing to a close. This is not just a farewell to France's overreach - it's a bold step toward a more equitable and empowered West Africa. Here's to a well-deserved goodbye and a promising new beginning. 

(Akhil Bakshi, an author and explorer, is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Explorers Club USA, and Editor of ‘Indian Mountaineer’. He is also the founder of Bharatiya Yuva Shakti, an organisation that ensures good leadership at the village level. He tweets @AkhilBakshi1. This is an opinion piece, and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)