RESEARCH IDEATION BY; AFOLABI OLADIPUPO
RESEARCH BY: AYOMIDE JOHNSON OLORUNMODIMU
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The wave of military coups in Africa, particularly in Francophone countries, cannot be fully understood without examining the historical entanglement between these nations and their former colonial master, France. While many attribute military takeovers to internal crises such as corruption, electoral fraud, insecurity, and economic mismanagement, a deeper inspection reveals that these events are also symptoms of long-standing frustrations with new colonial structures and economic dominance chiefly that of France.
Following the formal independence of many West and Central African nations in the 1960s, France maintained tight control over its former colonies through systems of indirect rule and economic dependence. A key symbol of this continued influence is the CFA Franc, a currency used by many Francophone African states, which was initially backed by the French treasury and tightly regulated through monetary policies designed in Paris. Though it provided a measure of stability, it also became a source of criticism, as many Africans viewed it as a tool of economic subjugation that restricted their national sovereignty and policy-making freedom.
The idea of “Françafrique,” a term used to describe France’s post-independence networks of influence in Africa, became a synonym for backdoor deals, political interference, and support for authoritarian regimes that were loyal to French interests. French military presence in Africa, often presented as security partnerships, further entrenched the perception that France operated not as a distant former coloniser but as a shadow government pulling strings behind the scenes. These dynamics bred resentment, especially among a younger generation of Africans who saw their countries as politically independent but economically enslaved.
In the 21st century, as governance crises intensified and the promises of democracy failed to deliver tangible results for many citizens, military coups re-emerged in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. Interestingly, these coups have been accompanied by a striking rise in anti-French rhetoric. The military juntas often justify their actions not only as a response to internal misrule but also as a necessary step to reclaim true national sovereignty from foreign domination. French troops have been expelled, French businesses targeted, and symbolic gestures such as removing French as an official language or banning French media have been used to signal a break from the past. While this anti-French sentiment reflects legitimate frustrations with a historical pattern of external control, military takeovers present their own complications. Coups frequently suspend constitutions, silence opposition, and concentrate power in the hands of unelected leaders. Although some citizens initially embrace military regimes in the hope of national renewal, the long-term consequences often mirror the failures of previous governments, with limited progress on institutional reform or economic development.
Moreover, in distancing themselves from France, some of these military regimes have sought new alliances, notably with Russia, China, or Turkey. While these shifts may appear to break with the West, they risk substituting one form of dependence for another if not grounded in genuine structural reform and self-reliance. The optics of anti-imperialism can become hollow if they mask continued exploitation or authoritarianism under different patrons.
Ultimately, the resurgence of coups in Francophone Africa should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader historical struggle for autonomy, justice, and dignity. The fight against French economic influence is deeply rooted in colonial legacies that continue to shape political and economic realities. However, the path to liberation requires more than the rejection of a former coloniser; it demands the creation of systems that are accountable, transparent, and rooted in the aspirations of African people themselves.
BREAKDOWN
A CONTINENT IN REBELLION OR REBIRTH?
In recent years, a powerful wave of military coups has swept through parts of Francophone Africa from Mali to Burkina Faso, Guinea to Niger. What seems, on the surface, like a return to authoritarian rule is, to many observers and citizens, a deeper rejection of post-colonial entanglements particularly those tied to French economic influence. Across these countries, masses have poured into the streets not in protest, but in support of the military. Flags are waved. French symbols are burned. And the message is clear: a growing number of African nations are demanding not just political change, but true economic independence.
This introduction of military rule is increasingly framed not as a betrayal of democracy, but as a reset a loud rejection of an old system many feel has failed them. But what are the roots of this tension? And why is France, decades after the end of colonialism, still at the centre of the African economic debate?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: COLONIAL BLUEPRINT---- FRANCE’S ECONOMIC GRIP ON AFRICA
To understand the recent military takeovers in Francophone Africa, we must return to the colonial playbook. France’s rule in Africa was not just territorial it was deeply economic. After decolonisation in the 1960s, France maintained close ties with its former colonies through a network of political elites, military pacts, and economic frameworks. This arrangement became widely known as Françafrique a term used to describe France’s informal empire and enduring influence over African affairs.
One of the most significant tools of this influence has been the CFA franc a currency created and controlled by France, used by 14 African countries. While France argued this ensured monetary stability, critics see it as a relic of colonial control that undermines national sovereignty, restricts monetary independence, and ties African economies to French interests.
Furthermore, French companies retained access to critical sectors oil, uranium, infrastructure often under terms seen as exploitative. Over time, resentment grew, especially among younger generations who view these arrangements as neo-colonial chains dressed in post-colonial language.
FROM BARRACKS TO BALLOTS --- COUPS AS A REBELLION AGAINST FRENCH LEGACY
In recent years, a noticeable pattern has emerged: a wave of military coups across Francophone African countries such as Mali (2020), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023). While each coup had its local triggers corruption, insecurity, electoral disputes they all share a common narrative: rejection of French influence and the call for self-determination. These coups were not met with the usual international outrage alone; instead, many were surprisingly supported by local populations. Demonstrators in Mali and Niger, for example, waved Russian flags, chanted anti-French slogans, and demanded the exit of French troops. For many, the military offered an alternative to political elites perceived as puppets of France.
The coup leaders, in turn, capitalised on this sentiment by promising to restore dignity, reclaim control over national resources, and end the legacy of economic dependence. In several cases, they expelled French diplomats, cancelled military agreements, and invited new global partners including Russia and China.
This shift is not just about military power it reflects a broader ideological struggle over Africa’s sovereignty, identity, and future alliances in a changing geopolitical landscape.
REDEFINING POWER --- WHAT COUPS REVEAL ABOUT AFRICA’S SOVEREIGNTY STRUGGLES
The rise of anti-French military coups in Africa signals more than just leadership changes it reflects a deeper reckoning with colonial legacies and a demand for genuine sovereignty. As juntas overthrow civilian governments, they frame their actions not merely as power grabs but as liberations from neo colonial grip. This unfolding trend raises critical questions for global politics. Western countries, especially France, are losing ground in their former colonies, while emerging powers like Russia, China, and Turkey are filling the vacuum. These shifts hint at a multipolar world order where African states seek to diversify their alliances beyond traditional Western blocs.
However, the turn to military rule brings its own challenges. While coups may seem to offer quick fixes, they often undermine democratic institutions and risk long-term instability. The true test lies in whether these regimes can deliver on promises of reform or simply become authoritarian under new banners.
While withdrawing French troops is a significant step toward dismantling neo-colonial structures, it does not guarantee sovereignty. The embrace of new alliances, particularly with Russia and China, risks replacing one form of dependency with another. To achieve genuine autonomy, Francophone Africa must invest in building inclusive institutions, addressing the root causes of insecurity, and fostering regional cooperation. Ultimately, Francophone Africa’s future will depend on its ability to navigate these changing alliances while asserting its agency on the global stage. The challenge lies not in choosing between France, Russia, or China but in reclaiming the power to shape its destiny.
What remains clear is that these political upheavals are expressions of African societies pushing back against imposed structures and asserting control over their futures an assertion that global powers can no longer ignore.
CALL TO REFLECTION: WHOSE INTERESTS DOES STABILITY SERVE?
As Africa continues to grapple with waves of military takeovers, one must ask: are these upheavals truly in the interest of the people, or are they symptoms of deeper structural failures long ignored by both local elites and foreign powers?
The fight against French economic influence is part of a broader call for autonomy and self-definition. Yet, real freedom goes beyond rejecting external control it requires building resilient institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and ensuring that the people's voices are not only heard but lead the direction of their nations. Citizens, scholars, and policymakers alike must look beyond the headlines and interrogate the forces historical, economic, and political that shape Africa's present. Only then can the continent break the cycle of instability and build a future driven not by coups or coercion, but by cooperation, justice, and sovereignty.
