7 Ways France Still Controls Its Former African Colonies

In the backdrop of recent coups in African nations like Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso, a critical examination of France’s influence over its former colonies becomes imperative.

France and Britain were colonial powers in Africa, with Britain holding sway over 22 African nations, while France controlled 20. Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon were among France’s colonial territories.

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These countries fell under France’s indirect rule, becoming assimilated into French culture and lifestyle. Regrettably, many of these nations never truly attained full independence due to colonial pacts signed prior to their liberation.

Here’s how France continues to exert substantial influence over numerous parts of Africa:

1. Official Adoption of the French Language:

Former French colonies in Africa are mandated to adopt French as their official language and the medium of instruction in their educational systems, regulated by France’s foreign ministry. This sidelines their indigenous languages.

2. Payment of Colonial Debt:

Fourteen ex-French colonies in Africa pay a colonial tax to France, covering infrastructure originally constructed by France during colonial times. The magnitude of this debt varies based on the paying country and the expansion of its infrastructure.

3. French Oversight of National Reserves:

France maintains control over the national reserves of its former colonies. These nations must deposit their monetary reserves with France’s central bank. Since 1961, 14 African nations have entrusted their national reserves to the French Treasury. Over 80% is placed in “operations accounts” managed by the French Treasury. The exact amount of foreign reserves held by the French Treasury is undisclosed to the countries. France currently holds approximately $500 billion of African nations’ funds in its treasury, with only around 15% being accessible to these nations, who even have to pay interest to withdraw beyond this limit.

4. Prior Rights to Exploit Natural Resources:

France holds the initial right to exploit and purchase natural resources unearthed within its former colonies’ territories. These colonies cannot opt to sell their natural resources to other nations before offering them to France.

5. Primacy of French Firms in Government Contracts:

The governments of these colonies give precedence to French interests and companies in awarding contracts. African nations can only engage with other international firms after French firms have been considered. As a result, France possesses the majority of significant economic assets in colonies such as Côte d’Ivoire, including control over water, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, ports, and major banks.

6. Military Supremacy:

France supplies military equipment, offers training to military personnel, and maintains troops in these countries. Through a framework of scholarships, grants, and “defence agreements” related to the Colonial Pact, France has exclusive rights to provide military equipment and training to African military leaders. It also holds legal authority to intervene militarily in African nations and to station soldiers on their bases indefinitely.

7. Mandatory Use of Colonial Currency:

Former French colonies are obliged to use the CFA franc, commonly known as FCFA, which not only depletes the wealth of African nations but also contributes an astounding $500 billion annually to the French treasury.