France’s former colonies have a point; Paris should listen
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech to French ambassadors posted around the world at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on January 6, 2025.
News of the altercation between France and the leaders of former colonies Chad and Côte d’Ivoire reflect not only resurgent anger at the continent’s colonial legacy, but also a deeper re-assessment of post-colonial ties and growing aspirations for a more equal status quo in post-colonial ties.
It also portends an ongoing re-alignment between Africa and the global powers, whose final outcome might not be easy to predict at this time.
French President Emmanuel Macron attracted angry rebuke earlier this week when, on Monday, he accused the leaders of its former West African colonies of ingratitude, after they ordered French troops out of their territories.
Referring to his country’s contribution in beating back Islamic militants who were rapidly advancing on the Sahel, Macron said not a single state there would still be standing were it not for France’s intervention.
“Chad expresses its deep concern following the remarks made recently, which reflect a contemptuous attitude towards Africa and Africans,” Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said, adding that “French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices.” Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reminded France of the negative fallout from its expeditionary actions in the past.
The bust-up reflects the pain on both sides. As Africa erupts in mutiny against its puppet masters, France is bemoaning a gradual erosion of influence on the continent.
Disappointed with the international order, African countries, despite the failings of their own leaders, have been discontented for a while.
Meanwhile, distracted by three decades of a volatile world, the colonial powers let down their guard, allowing new contenders to enter Africa, disrupting the traditional pecking order. This is pretty much what one can surmise from the Western powers’ recent messaging, which castigates China’s growing influence in Africa and the implied dire consequences for the continent.
While the Sahel nations’ termination of defence agreements with France followed by expulsion of its troops might have been done shabbily, it signals a revolt against “Françafrique,” the dubious policy under which France maintained a political, economic and military stranglehold over its former African colonies. Senegal and Chad’s actions go beyond France.
They represent the broader desire by African states to reshape their relationships with former colonial masters and the global powers in general. With China and other emerging powers such as Türkiye, Africa is signalling a desire for new partnerships structured around a more mutually beneficial relationship.
Historically, the global powers have positioned themselves as guarantors of security and stability.
That may as well remain so for a long time. But it has come at a great cost to the client states whose interests and economic development have always been subordinate to their masters’.
As Africa rises to assert itself, the traditional powers should react in a more rational way. A more economically balanced world works for everybody. Trade with more economically viable partners reduce conflict and a decline in migrants can compensate for the perceived losses that will accrue from losing access to dirt-cheap minerals.
From the Victorian repudiation of slave trade to the crusade for racial and gender equality, the world has gone through several generations of moral reform, all for the better. Rethinking neo-colonialism should be the next logical step in human social evolution.
