Introduction

For over five years, West Africa has been in the midst of profound political upheaval following the coup d’état in Guinea, marked by a significant rejection of French policies in the region.

Should We Support or Condemn Coups?

In September 2023, a coup d’état occurred in Gabon, garnering support from the Gabonese population who displayed gestures of solidarity towards the military forces seizing power. This event marked the fifth former French colony to undergo regime change through armed force. The day following the coup in Gabon, expressions of joy and support reverberated through Libreville. Despite the moral reprehensibility of coups, the active support for the coupists stems from the deep-seated rejection of French policies in West Africa.

Reasons for Rejecting French Policy

French interventionism in the region is well-documented. During the Ivorian crisis, France militarily intervened to depose a West African head of state, replacing them with a leader more amenable to its policies. While the complexities of such interventions are subject to debate, it’s noteworthy that France has, in other instances such as Gabon and Togo, refrained from intervening, citing non-interference policies while implicitly supporting leaders favorable to its agenda. This apparent contradiction underscores France’s aim to maintain leadership aligned with its interests in its former colonies, fueling widespread discontent among West African populations. Additionally, the continent was not indifferent to the assassination of President Mohammar Gaddafi, which occurred under the shadow of French intervention and subsequently exacerbated issues like terrorism. Mali has accused France, whether justifiably or not, of duplicity in arming Sahelian terrorists. The pervasive influence of social media has further galvanized anti-French sentiment among political analysts and the general public alike, solidifying opposition.

Conclusion

It is clear that it was necessary to put an end to this incestuous and unhealthy link taking the name of France-Africa, however the price to pay is perhaps too heavy and risks leading, when power is taken by force by the army to years of military dictators and offers no guarantee that the advent of years of plundering the resources of African soil are far behind.