As France’s military footprint continues to shrink across Africa, the question arises: Can France continue to exert influence in its former colonies through soft power alone? France has been an integral player in Africa for decades, but recent shifts in political and military dynamics, particularly in former French strongholds in West and Central Africa, have raised doubts about its continued influence. The completion of the withdrawal of French troops from Chad this week—marking the end of an era—comes on the heels of a broader trend of African countries distancing themselves from French military presence and interference.
After over six decades of French military presence, the withdrawal of troops from Chad symbolizes a turning point for France’s strategic military operations in Africa. In December, Chad’s government abruptly cut ties with France and ended the military pact that stationed 1,000 French soldiers in the country. Chad, strategically located in the Sahel region, had been a key base for counter-terrorism operations aimed at tackling armed groups in the region and monitoring unrest in neighboring Libya. Yet, resentment over French interference has led several countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, to expel French forces, replaced by Russian troops and other partners who are seen as more aligned with their interests.
The diminishing presence of French military forces has sparked a broader conversation about sovereignty in Africa. Analysts believe that these countries’ growing desire for autonomy—free from what they perceive as French meddling—will continue to reshape their political and military relationships. Despite these shifts, many of these nations still maintain strong cultural and economic ties with France, especially in terms of language and finance.
One of the most enduring aspects of France’s soft power in Africa is the widespread use of the French language. As of 2022, nearly 50% of the 300 million French speakers in the world reside in Africa. French has become the lingua franca in many African countries, serving as the primary language for government, education, media, and business. Even in countries like Mali, where the military government demoted French to a non-official language, the working language remains French due to its long history in the region.
France’s efforts to maintain influence have also been reflected in recent initiatives to spread the language. In 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a campaign to offer French lessons in African cities. During a visit to Burkina Faso, he boldly declared that French would be the “number-one language in Africa… and maybe even the world.” Despite growing efforts by some African leaders to embrace local languages and reduce reliance on French, the language continues to wield influence across the continent. In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s efforts to distance the country from French through local initiatives like renaming streets have not fully eliminated France’s linguistic and cultural impact.
Another enduring tool of France’s influence is the CFA currency, used by 14 African countries. This currency, initially designed to peg these nations to the French Treasury, remains a topic of controversy. Despite calls for reform, including from leaders like former Chadian President Idris Déby, who described the CFA as a hindrance to African development, no country has fully severed its ties with the zone. Critics argue that the CFA limits economic growth by requiring countries to deposit 50% of their reserves in the French Treasury, effectively keeping them reliant on France’s economic system.
Despite the growing calls for autonomy, many of the nations still operating within the CFA zone have been reluctant to abandon it, fearing backlash from France or instability in the absence of such an arrangement. Senegal’s President Faye, who campaigned on a platform of reducing ties with France and the CFA, has not yet followed through on these promises, continuing the country’s relationship with the IMF and World Bank. As these debates continue, the region faces a complex challenge of balancing independence with the economic realities of global currency systems.
As France faces a decline in its military and economic influence in Africa, its leadership has begun to pivot towards strengthening ties with former British colonies, such as Nigeria and Kenya, where anti-French sentiment is less entrenched. French President Macron’s visit to Nigeria in December was a key moment in this shift, where he embraced local cultures and even used Nigerian Pidgin in his address to President Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite the backlash from French-speaking African nations, France is carefully recalibrating its approach to maintain relevance in Africa. Jean-Marie Bockel, Macron’s special envoy to Africa, emphasized that France aims to reduce its visible military presence while maintaining logistical, human, and material access to African countries. This marks a clear recognition of the changing geopolitical landscape and a shift away from reliance on hard military power to more nuanced, diplomatic, and economic strategies.
While the wind-down of France’s military presence in Africa marks the end of a significant chapter, its soft power remains deeply embedded in the region. The French language, cultural ties, economic influence, and ongoing diplomatic efforts mean that a complete severance is unlikely. However, as Africa continues to evolve politically and economically, the relationship between France and its former colonies will undoubtedly face new challenges.
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