In only a few years, the French military has lost the majority of its bases in Africa, although relations with certain former colonies are still tense, the majority desire a new, military-free partnership.
The retreat, occurring amidst growing budget constraints and political turmoil in Paris, signals another indication of France’s influence in Africa, where it initially created a colonial presence in the 17th century, has nearly faded away.
Since 2022, France has been slowly reducing its troop presence in West Africa due to increasing resistance to its military involvement in the area, and opposition to France’s battle against Islamist insurgents in the Sahel, bringing an end to over 40 years of military presence in the region. The withdrawal, referred to as the ‘decline of Françafrique’ by analysts and the media, has also led to reduced cooperation with the West regarding security and development, while placing greater emphasis on partnerships with nations like China and Russia.
A month ago, France officially transferred control of the N’Djamena base to Chadian authorities and withdrew its remaining troops after Chad declared an end to its security and defense agreements with France.
This follows the expulsion of French troops from Mali in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2023, after a military coup in September 2023, France has also terminated its military collaboration with Niger, a nation that has historically been a hub for French counter-terrorism efforts in Mali. The departure of French forces from former colonies is attributed to continue.
Côte d’Ivoire, bordering the Sahel, and Senegal declared similar outcomes for French troops by 2025. Meanwhile, Niger’s military regime revealed its strategy “towards full” sovereignty”.
Rethinking connections with Africa
“No, France isn’t regressing in Africa; it is merely being clear-sighted and restructuring,” Macron stated during the annual ambassadors’ conference early on January. Macron also supported Paris’ recent military action in Africa, but openly asserted that ‘no African state could manage a sovereign country without French support’ – remarks that appear to further corroborate the tensions.
African countries that speak French do not all have the same economic ties to France. Overall, the relationship between France and [West] Africa has grown increasingly distant since the late 20th century. This trend is accelerating, and eventually, the ties may become negligible.
In 2023, trade between France and sub-Saharan Africa, comprising 48 countries, reached €24.5 billion, making up 1.8% of France’s exports and 1.9% of its imports. These figures from the French Finance Ministry for 2024 reflect a declining trend over the last decade.
Trade between France and Chad is nearly non-existent; however, Niger tells a different story, as the French state-owned nuclear fuel company Orano extracts uranium via three of its subsidiaries.
Niger’s uranium holds strategic significance for France and Europe, providing about 25% of the supply to European nuclear power plants in 2022, according to AFP. However, the outlook is uncertain as Niger appears committed to reclaiming control over its mining resources, especially uranium.
Following the suspension of operations at its Niger mining subsidiary—36.6% owned by the Niger state—at the end of October 2024 due to the loss of “operational control,” Orano filed a new arbitration case against Niger in late January, claiming the country is “hindering the commercialisation of [uranium] production.”
Burkina Faso’s authorities assert that the conclusion of French military presence does not equate to severing diplomatic ties. Although the French Treasury has observed a decrease in trade flows in 2023 relative to 2022, along with an ‘uncertain’ outlook, there remains potential for improvement. Furthermore, trade relations with Côte d’Ivoire appear increasingly favorable for France, as Vircoulon highlights the presence of numerous French companies in the nation.
Senegal has a clear stance: “The goal of reducing military presence, including that of France, should not be seen as a wish to cut all ties with France,” stated Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in November.
