In the complex geopolitical landscape of West Africa, the relationship between Nigeria and France has recently garnered significant attention, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. As former French colonies, namely, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Senegal, have expelled French forces and canceled defense and military agreements, the nature of Nigeria’s relationship with France becomes increasingly provocative. In the context of the region’s heightened anti-colonial sentiment, the challenges of terrorism in the Sahel, and the legacy of exploitative practices that continue to evoke historical grievances among West African nations, President Tinubu’s alignment with France is perplexing and disturbing.
Following the end of colonialism in the mid-20th century, many West African nations gained independence but remained tethered to their former colonizers through neocolonial practices. France retained economic and military influence in the region, particularly through defense agreements with its former colonies.
However, this influence has increasingly been questioned over time, and now, repudiated, culminating in recent expulsion orders from countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, who view French presence as an extension of neocolonial control rather than a genuine partnership in counter-terrorism efforts.
The expulsion of French troops from various West African nations is rooted in growing anti-French sentiment fueled by perceptions of the French government’s failure to effectively address the terrorist threats plaguing the Sahel region. Critics argue that France’s approach to counter-terrorism is subversive and has often exacerbated local tensions rather than alleviating them. The military presence is seen not as liberation from terrorists but as an occupying force fulfilling France’s geopolitical ambitions at the expense of local sovereignty.
The effectiveness of French military interventions in the Sahel has been questioned and criticized for its lack of tangible success. Consequently, disillusioned populations have rallied behind populist/military leaders who promise a break from France, insisting on a more autonomous future free from external interference.
Against this backdrop of rising anti-French sentiment, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s apparent affinity for France presents a curious contradiction.
Interestingly, both Chad and Senegal announced their decision to end all military ties with France last weekend at a time when President Tinubu was wining and dining with his French counterpart, Mr. Macron, in Paris. In a rather dramatic move, President Tinubu joyfully announced a significant economic pact with France which includes exploitation of Nigeria’s vast and rich mineral resources. Literally, this deal seeks to surrender the country’s vital resources to France.
Since its inception, Tinubu’s government has maintained a strange diplomatic and military relationship with France, showcasing a desire for cooperation amidst a backdrop of regional instability. This stance risks entrenching Nigeria in the very dynamics that its neighbors are actively rebuffing.
Tinubu’s engagement with France can be viewed through multiple lenses. On one hand, it provides a strategic partnership that purportedly promises military aid and economic cooperation. On the other hand, it raises critical questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty and the potential for exploiting France’s renewed interest in the region for economic gain. As Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Senegal disentangled themselves from French influence, Nigeria’s embrace of such relations may be seen as misplaced allegiance, risking both domestic backlash and regional isolation.
The relationship between Nigeria and France, particularly under Tinubu, cannot be extricated from the broader discourse on resource exploitation in Africa. France and other Western nations are utilizing their military presence to safeguard their economic interests rather than supporting genuine development and security in the region. This unsavoury romance with France further complicates Nigeria’s relationship with its neighbours, many of whom are emphasizing sovereignty and self-determination in their post-colonial existence.
The natural resources of West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Northern Nigeria, have often been at the center of the current insurgency and neocolonial practices, where foreign powers reap enormous benefits while local populations remain pauperized amidst wanton destruction, maiming and killings. France’s historical extraction of resources from its former colonies lays the groundwork for contemporary grievances, fueling resentment and hostility toward French involvement in the region. Tinubu’s decision to ally with France threatens to align Nigeria with these exploitative practices, positioning the nation as part of a problematic legacy.
This alignment with France could impact Nigeria’s influence within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where solidarity among member states is crucial for addressing shared challenges. Should Tinubu’s government continue to front a pro-French policy, it may alienate Nigeria from its neighbours, undermining collective efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in the Sahel.
Furthermore, as more nations in the region pivot away from France, there is potential for the emergence of new alliances founded on mutual interests and non-neocolonial principles. Nigeria faces the challenge of adapting to these new geopolitical realities, where a reluctance to disengage from French influence may prove detrimental to its long-term security and diplomatic interests.
Indeed, President Tinubu’s ongoing relationship with France amidst the backdrop of growing anti-French sentiment presents a complex geopolitical conundrum for Nigeria.
As former French colonies assert their sovereignty by expelling French forces and canceling agreements, Nigeria’s alignment with France risks entrenching it in a legacy of exploitation and neocolonialism that its neighbours are actively resisting. Balancing military cooperation with sovereignty and regional solidarity will be critical for Nigeria’s future as it navigates the evolving political landscape of West Africa. In a time when the winds of change are prompting a revolt against historical grievances, Tinubu’s administration must carefully assess the ramifications of its foreign policy choices, lest it find itself on the wrong side of history in a region striving for genuine self-determination and stability.
