France’s Declining Military Presence in Africa Sparks New Alliances

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
France’s military presence in Africa has reduced from 10,000 to 2,000 troops.
French forces have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from 2021 to 2024.
Chad has set a January 31, 2025 deadline for France to withdraw its troops.
Russia, Turkey, and China are increasing their influence in Africa as France withdraws.
Operation Barkhane failed to address jihadism effectively, leading to a loss of credibility.
African nations are increasingly asserting their sovereignty and seeking alternative partnerships.

French Military Withdrawal from Africa

Africa is seeing major changes as France quickly pulls back its military from the continent. This shift marks an important period in African history, as it ends a time of outside influence and begins a new era of self-rule.

Fast Decline in French Troop Numbers

The drop in France’s military forces in Africa can be seen in their numbers. In just five years, they went from 10,000 soldiers to 2,000. This decrease isn’t a simple strategy change but a retreat due to rising African pushback against foreign soldiers.

The main cause for this cutback comes from French troops being expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2021 and 2024. These actions were led by new military leaders motivated by strong anti-French feelings and a growing call for African freedom.

The removal of French troops was linked closely to the failure of Operation Barkhane. This large effort to fight terrorism in the Sahel region began with great expectations. Yet, it failed to stop widespread terrorism, showing the limits of foreign military efforts in Africa.

Recent Withdrawals: Chad and Senegal Assert Independence

Kicking out French troops is not just about failed strategies; it strongly shows African independence. This surge of self-rule is changing how the continent interacts with past colonial rulers.

The pullout of French soldiers is gaining speed with recent decisions by Chad and Senegal. Both countries plan to end their military deals with France, signaling a firm break from their former colonial ruler.

Chad’s Ultimatum

Chad’s move to sever military ties with France has stirred the political scene. The government demands all French troops, about 1,000, leave by January 31, 2025.

This action is not just symbolic; it shows a real shift in power. Some French forces, including three Mirage jets, have already left the Adji Kossei base in December 2024.

Even as the withdrawal deadline nears, Chad and France are in talks. French officials describe these talks as “technical but smooth.” These negotiations highlight the changing nature of relations between France and Africa.

The Rise of New Global Partners

As France’s influence fades, new global players like Russia, Turkey, and China are stepping in. They offer different partnerships, challenging the traditional Western hold on military and economic ties.

This shift towards new partners allows African countries to use global rivalry to negotiate better relations and assert more control over their national goals.

Understanding Neocolonial Influence in Africa

Neocolonial influence refers to the indirect control that former colonial powers like France continue to exert over African nations. This control often manifests through economic dominance, political interference, and cultural influence. France has maintained significant sway over its former colonies by monopolizing resource extraction and prioritizing French companies in economic dealings (The Neocolonialism of France in Africa and the Future of Europe).

One notable example is the use of the West African CFA franc, a currency backed by the French treasury, which ties the economies of fourteen African countries to France’s monetary policies. This financial arrangement allows France to control significant aspects of these nations’ economies, including their gold reserves and banking systems (The Neocolonialism of France in Africa and the Future of Europe).

Growing Anti-French Sentiment Across the Continent

Anti-French sentiment has been on the rise in many African nations, fueled by perceptions of ongoing neocolonial practices and ineffective military interventions. Many Africans view France’s actions as self-serving, prioritizing its interests over the well-being of local populations (How France Failed Mali: The End of Operation Barkhane).

The failure of initiatives like Operation Barkhane has exacerbated these feelings. Intended to combat terrorism in the Sahel, the operation struggled to achieve its goals, leading to significant loss of life and displacement without delivering lasting stability (How France Failed Mali: The End of Operation Barkhane). Consequently, local populations have grown distrustful of French military presence.

Moreover, France’s involvement in African politics, such as supporting or condemning coups based on its interests, has undermined the sovereignty of nations and stoked resentment (The Neocolonialism of France in Africa and the Future of Europe). This interference has led to public outcry and demands for reevaluating relationships with the former colonial power.

The Role of the Wagner Group and New Alliances

As France retreats, other global players are stepping in to fill the void. The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has become increasingly active in Africa. Offering military and security services in exchange for resource concessions, they operate in countries like the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, and Sudan (What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?).

These new partnerships differ from traditional Western alliances. Countries like Russia, China, and Turkey engage with African nations through different models, often focusing on investment in infrastructure, resource development, and cultural exchange. This shift allows African countries to diversify their international relations and assert more control over their futures (UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations).

The emergence of these players challenges the long-standing dominance of Western powers in Africa. It offers African nations alternatives that can lead to more balanced and mutually beneficial relationships (What Is Russia’s Wagner Group Doing in Africa?). However, it also introduces new complexities into the geopolitical landscape.

Impacts on Local Communities and the Path Forward

The withdrawal of French troops has significant implications for local communities. While it represents a step toward sovereignty, it also creates security challenges. The absence of French forces can leave gaps that may be exploited by militant groups, potentially leading to increased instability (How France Failed Mali: The End of Operation Barkhane).

Economically, communities may face hardships due to reduced foreign military spending and support. Yet, many hope that new international partnerships and a stronger emphasis on self-determination will lead to sustainable development and improved living conditions (The Neocolonialism of France in Africa and the Future of Europe).

Moving forward, the path to true sovereignty involves building robust local institutions and fostering transparent governance. By leveraging new alliances and focusing on internal strengths, African nations aim to create a future that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of their people.

The Closing of an Era

The fast pullback of French troops from Africa means more than fewer soldiers. It signals big changes in how the continent handles security and connections with the world. As African countries take more control and seek new partnerships, the time of Western military control in Africa ends.

This transformation challenges deeply rooted issues of racism and past colonial power over Africa. It’s the start of a new chapter where African countries have more freedom to make their own choices, away from past colonial powers.

FAQ

Q: What is the current status of French military presence in Africa?
A: French military presence in Africa has drastically declined, with troop numbers falling from 10,000 to 2,000 over five years, reflecting a significant retreat in response to growing African resistance.

Q: What led to the expulsion of French forces from certain African countries?
A: French forces were expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2021 and 2024 due to rising anti-French sentiment and the establishment of military juntas asserting African sovereignty.

Q: How did Operation Barkhane contribute to the decline of French military presence?
A: Operation Barkhane, France’s counterterrorism initiative in the Sahel, failed to effectively combat jihadism, undermining France’s military credibility and prompting calls for withdrawal.

Q: What recent developments have occurred regarding French military agreements in Africa?
A: Chad and Senegal have recently announced the termination of military agreements with France, marking a crucial shift in power dynamics and signaling greater independence.

Q: What implications does the decline of French military presence have for Africa?
A: The decline represents a shift toward African self-determination, with nations seeking alternative partnerships with countries like Russia, Turkey, and China, thereby diversifying international relations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.