Niger was a colony of France from 1900 to 1960. Post decolonisation, the French have kept their presence intact in Africa through cultural exchange, economic partnerships, defence deals etc.
The French power in Africa has been challenged across the Sahel since 2020. There have been eight coups in West African countries in about 3 years. The narrative at every step of the way has grown far more anti-French than it used to be. The French have maintained military bases in Africa because they are fighting the Islamic State.
The French are absolutely logical in leading the fight in the SAHEL. Russia too is invested militarily in the region, although through proxies like the Wagner Group. But the region is such that if France loses the support on the ground, it cannot fight the Islamic radicalism. If it cannot sustain a military operation in these countries, that means they are losing ground to the terrorist groups.
Military coups have been legitimised by various provincial administrations in the power-sharing structures of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon for that matter. Hence, although the militaries lack capacities to fight the ISIS & Al Qaeda affiliated groups, they have assurance from the Russians and the Chinese of helping them diversify their economic and defence dependence on the West.
Following the coup in Niger, the French have been very resolute in their response. They were asked to end the diplomatic mission, which they resisted despite facing power and water cuts, blockade of food supplies etc. from the regime. The French diplomatic corps in Niger at this point is holding the area of the French embassy with only aim – to survive in Niger. The same goes for the military base in Niger. People have gathered around and imposed a blockade and vowed to not reduce the pressure until the French pull their military out of Niger.
The critical fact to consider is the reason why containing Islamic radicalism in Africa matters to the French ? The concern has strategic sense. The more the chaos in Africa, the more illegal migration towards Europe. The more the influence of terrorist groups on the ground, the more the chaos. The diplomatic and the military mission are holding their territories while the political leadership of France have blatantly refused to talk to the junta. President Macron emphasised that he held frequent conversations with the ousted President Bazoum, and that the French will only take decisions based on their interaction with the legitimate government of Niger, i.e. the Bazoum Government.
In a way, the French are fighting for their survival in Africa. Africa is also a territory where they can’t expect support from the collective West. They have had to course their own chart throughout.
