By Shahzadi Irrum
For centuries, Western powers have regarded Africa as a subordinate in the global order. Disguised as efforts to promote development, they ruthlessly exploited the continent’s vast resources to sustain their own prosperity, thereby reinforcing a cycle of inequality and dependency.
But it does not end there. The so-called partnerships have consistently prioritized Western interests, raising an essential question, when has Africa ever genuinely reaped the benefits from these partnerships? The harsh reality is – it has never happened. Under the pretext of providing security, these partnerships have often portrayed themselves as safeguarding Africa’s stability. However, this so-called protection has predominantly upheld Western dominance, rather than genuinely empowering African nations.
After enduring years of France’s so-called protection, Senegal is taking charge of its future, signaling a broader shift in the Sahel region. Senegal’s move to break ties with France is rooted in the historical brutality of the 1944 Thiaroye massacre, where African soldiers who had fought for France during World War II, were sent back to the capital Dakar. Soon after arriving in Dakar, they protested against pay delays and poor living conditions. French forces opened fire on the protesters, killing at least 35, with the true toll likely much higher. This atrocity, long denied or minimized by France, underscores the ruthlessness with which the colonial power exploited and betrayed its African soldiers.
Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said on the 80 anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, that France’s President Emmanuel Macron had admitted that his country’s troops were responsible for a “massacre” of Senegalese soldiers in 1944. While he hailed the acknowledgment, he argued that allowing French bases in the country contradicted national sovereignty. This defiance is not isolated, countries like Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad – all belonging to a Sahel region, have already taken a firm stance against the continued French military presence. Collectively, these nations raised their voices and told French troops to pack up their bags and go home. But what has encouraged these Sahelian countries to declare, once and for all, that enough is enough?
The history of the African continent, perhaps more than any other, is marked by upheavals and transformative events that have profoundly impacted its indigenous populations and their development paths. France retained deep and post-colonial relations, exemplified by the CFA franc, a currency pegged to the euro and tied to French oversight, still used by seven of nine Francophone West African states. These nations also paid an annual tax to France, despite receiving no tangible benefits in exchange, which further sparked strong anger against France and created an environment where military coups were seen as acts of liberation from neocolonial dominance.
Since 2020, Africa has witnessed a series of coups, beginning with Mali, followed by Burkina Faso and Niger, leading to the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc determined to uproot France’s longstanding influence in the region.
Despite gaining independence from French colonial rule in 1960, France exerted significant influence in West Africa. Over time, anti-colonial sentiments have grown, fueled by the fact that these Sahel countries were compelled to adopt Western ideals and democratic practices. In response, the military, often seen as a most powerful institution, took matters into their own hands, overthrowing civilian governments that were aligned too closely with France and the West. Presidents were placed under house arrest and imprisonment, actions that were widely celebrated by the public. In retaliation for these military coups, France and the regional political bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed heavy sanctions on coup-hit countries. However, these actions intensified anti-western sentiments, further galvanizing the populace against foreign intervention.
Chad, the last stronghold of French influence, has also grown frustrated with the ongoing French presence. The country has explicitly called France to get out and has abruptly announced its decision to expel French military forces, signaling a major shift in its relationship with France. Chad stated that it would terminate its defense cooperation agreement, asserting that as a sovereign nation, it no longer tolerates the presence of France. A move that could potentially bring Chad closer to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, serving as a precursor to the expansion of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The decision to expel French forces from Sahelian countries is not just a political act; it is a rejection of a history built on violence and exploitation. This move signals that African nations are no longer willing to tolerate foreign intervention that undermines their sovereignty. It is high time for Africa to take control of its future and break free from the shackles of colonial powers that have been interfering in its internal affairs for far too long.
Due to France’s unjust policies and history of brutality and oppression against African people, the term Degage (a French word meaning ‘get lost’ or ‘go away’) has become a common slogan on African soil. Once viewed as the paternal force behind many African nations, France must now confront the reality that its imperial influence is waning. This is not merely a potential setback, it marks the symbolic end of an empire, compelling France to reconsider its role in the world. Ultimately, the rejection sends a clear message that Africa will no longer tolerate foreign interference, and it could inspire other nations to follow suit, further diminishing France’s position on the global stage.
Author: Shahzadi Irrum – Assistant Research Fellow (Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta).
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).