Image Credit, Laurent Duval
The unraveling of France’s lingering grip on its former African colonies has reached a crescendo, signaling a historic shift in power dynamics and exposing the enduring scars of colonial exploitation. Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and most recently Côte d’Ivoire—the Ivory Coast—have expelled French military forces from their borders in a decisive rejection of neocolonialism. These nations, once tethered to France through exploitative economic and military arrangements, are breaking free, charting a new course toward self-determination and alliances with non-Western powers such as Russia and China.
The symbolic and strategic expulsion of French troops is significant. While colonial rule formally ended decades ago, France maintained control through a web of neocolonial practices. These included siphoning natural resources, leveraging military presence for political influence, and forcing African nations to keep their monetary reserves in the French treasury. This exploitation enriched France while impoverishing its former colonies, perpetuating inequality under the guise of cooperation.
For years, France bought uranium from African nations such as Niger at exploitative prices, while selling it at enormous profits on the global market. The hypocrisy of this system was laid bare when France simultaneously paid Canada significantly higher prices for uranium—demonstrating blatant disregard for the sovereignty and economic well-being of African states. These practices are no longer tolerated. Niger, for instance, has reclaimed control of its uranium industry, denying France access to this vital resource, which powers much of its energy sector.
The implications for France are stark. The economic repercussions are rippling through its economy, exposing its dependence on African resources. The collapse of preferential trade arrangements, coupled with restricted access to critical minerals, has weakened French industries and highlighted their overreliance on exploitative practices. Even the aviation sector is feeling the strain, with restricted overflight rights adding to the mounting challenges faced by France.
This wave of emancipation has been led by bold leaders in African nations who are prioritizing domestic sustainability and fairer international partnerships. Turning to allies like Russia and China, these countries are reasserting their sovereignty and building new frameworks for economic and security cooperation. These shifts are not merely transactional; they represent a deeper reckoning with the past and a collective determination to dismantle systems of oppression that have stifled African growth and prosperity for decades.
France’s downfall in Africa is a cautionary tale for other former colonial powers that have relied on resource extraction and political manipulation to sustain their economies. The collapse of the French neocolonial system is not just an African story—it is a global lesson in the unsustainability of exploitation. As these nations reclaim their resources and their futures, they are setting an example for the world: the era of colonial subjugation, whether overt or covert, must end.
The days when France could dictate terms to its former colonies are over. In their place is a new era of African self-reliance and global realignment. This shift is as much about correcting historical injustices as it is about forging a new path. For France, it is a bitter reckoning. For Africa, it is liberation. And for the world, it is a reminder that justice, though delayed, can never be denied.
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