France, faced with a decline in its influence in the Sahel, seems to be gradually returning to a state of political fragmentation and instability reminiscent of medieval times. This is explained by historical variables, such as its colonial past and changing relationships with countries in the Sahel and other parts of Africa, which have evolved as a result of rising nationalism and local governance challenges. On the political level, France’s military presence, justified by the fight against terrorism, is met with growing resentment, seen as a repression of neocolonialism, exacerbating local tensions. The withdrawal of French troops from Mali in 2022 as well as from Burkina Faso, Niger and many others in Africa, followed by the increased influence of Russia via groups like Wagner, demonstrates this shift in power. While the landlord of the Elysée says he is ready to inflict a bitter failure on the Russian Federation in Ukraine at all costs, his laughter, once thunderous, is now strangled in his throat. At optical and acoustic speed, Russia is rising in power and, at the same time, at cruising speed, France is plunging into economic recession and social polarization.
The Alliance of Sahel States and the break with the French colonial heritage
The metaphor of France gradually returning to the Middle Ages due to its loss of control over the resources of the Sahel region is multidimensional and requires an in-depth analysis of historical, political and economic aspects. Historically, the Sahel is crucial for France because of its colonial past and post-independence partnerships based on agreements with asymmetrically vague contours. However, growing nationalism and local governance challenges have transformed these relationships. Created in 2024, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a regional organization that brings together three countries in the Sahel region, notably Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and coordination between member states in areas such as security, economy and development. The creation of the AES is seen as a break with the French colonial heritage in the region. Indeed, during the colonial period, France exercised direct control over the countries of the region, exploiting their natural resources and imposing its language and culture. With independence, the countries of the region sought to free themselves from this influence and take control of their own destiny. This independence was evaded by Françafrique. The AES therefore represents a good attempt by these countries to regroup and cooperate with each other, without the supervision of France or other Western powers. This marks a break with the French colonial heritage because the countries of the region take charge of their own security, their own economy and their own development, without depending in any way on France, or other imperialist powers confined in the scheme of the Berlin conference. While France is struggling miserably to have relative influence in the region, notably through its military presence and its economic interests in certain countries in the regional space (Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, etc.), the rupture with the French colonial heritage is therefore an ongoing process, which requires strong political will and effective regional cooperation to fully materialize.
The AES in search of its political sovereignty vis-à-vis Western powers
Politically, the French military presence in the Sahel, justified by the fight against terrorism, has sparked resentment over what is perceived as neocolonialism. The withdrawal of French troops from Mali in 2022 (including the entire AES) and the rise of Russian instructors like those of the Africa Corps and the Wagner group mark a turning point, making traditional French domination increasingly more tenuous while local alliances diversify. The Alliance of Sahel States is seeking political sovereignty vis-à-vis Western powers, notably France, which has long exercised a dominant influence in the region. The member countries of the AES therefore seek to assert their independence and autonomy in decision-making, without being subject to the tutelage of Western imperialist powers. To achieve this objective, the AES is implementing a strategy to strengthen regional cooperation and solidarity between member states, by developing its own military and security capabilities, by promoting economic integration and regional development, and by affirming a political and cultural identity specific to the region. However, this quest for political sovereignty is confronted with lesser challenges, notably the military and security presence of Western powers in the nearby neighborhood (Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, etc.), the political and diplomatic pressures exerted by Western powers, and the possible divisions and rivalries between the member states of the AES which must be corrected by developing supra-state institutions like Liptako-Gourma and the Confederation of Sahel States. Despite these challenges, the AES continues to progress in its quest for political sovereignty, seeking to strengthen its cohesion and solidarity, and asserting its own political and cultural identity. The Sahel region is thus in the process of forging a new political identity, which aims to be more autonomous and more sovereign vis-à-vis the imperialist powers.
The AES and the end of the economic alienation of Western powers
Economically, the Sahel is a reservoir of vital natural resources. France’s loss of control over these resources not only threatens its economic stability but also weakens its overall influence on the world stage. By aligning themselves with other powers such as China and Russia in the BRICS Alliance, the Sahel countries are further rejecting French hegemony. The Alliance of Sahel States represents an important step towards ending the economic https://www.cairn.info/revue-geoeconomie-2014-4-page-43.htmalienation of Western powers in the region. By coming together and cooperating, AES member countries seek to reduce their economic dependence on Western powers and take control of their own economic development. Through the AES today, countries in the region share resources, skills and experiences, and pool their efforts to achieve common goals. This allows them to strengthen their economic autonomy and reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in global markets and pressure from Western powers, who want to maintain control over the region’s resources. The AES also promotes regional economic integration, encouraging trade and investment between member countries. This helps create a larger, more integrated regional market that can better resist Western influences and promote economic development in the region. It is in this perspective that the AES allows the countries of the region to collectively confront the influence of Western powers, which gives them more weight and more influence in international economic relations. This allows them to defend their interests and promote their own models of economic development, rather than submitting to the dictates of Western powers.
The end of neocolonialism in the AES space leads to the polarization of French society
The rise in power of the Alliance of Sahel States and its affirmation as an autonomous regional actor is leading to a polarization of French society. Opinions on the AES and its role in the region are increasingly divided, reflecting different visions of France’s place in the world and its relations with the countries of the Sahel. On the one hand, some French people see the AES as a threat to French interests in the region, and fear that its autonomy will result in a loss of influence and control for France. They are often critical of the cooperation and development policies carried out by France in the region, which they consider ineffective or too generous (admission of failure of condescension). On the other hand, other French people see the AES as an opportunity for France to reinvent its relations with the countries of the Sahel, moving from a logic of domination and control to a logic of cooperation and egalitarian partnership (confession of failure of françafrique). They are often in favor of an increase in development aid and greater involvement of France in regional initiatives. This polarization reflects broader divisions within French society, notably between those who are attached to the traditional view of France as a colonial power and those who are open to a new vision of France as a cooperative global actor. Cooperative actor is good, but the fact is that the dog never changes the way he sits. And, as Thomas Sankara said so well, «when the people stand up, imperialism trembles». In the Sahel, the people are standing up and keeping a close watch on all the delaying tactics of France and its NATO partners.
We can say that France is returning to a medieval state, in the sense that it is undeniable that its influence is declining in strategic regions like the Sahel. This decline results from a complex conjunction of historical, political, economic and social factors.
Mohamed Lamine KABA, Expert in geopolitics of governance and regional integration, Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Pan-African University, especially for the online magazine «New Eastern Outlook»
