A recent opinion poll among African populations, conducted by the NGO Turn the Page (TLP) in collaboration with the Centre de recherches internationales de Sciences Po (CERI Sciences Po Paris), provides valuable insight into the reasons for the growing rejection of the French presence in Africa. Conducted in six African countries, this study highlights critical perceptions of France’s foreign policy.
This report titled «What is the name of the rejection of France in Africa?» is the result of a collaboration between Tournons la page and the CERI Sciences Po. It focuses primarily on six French-speaking African countries: Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Niger and Chad, that is, six former French colonies. This survey, composed of a panel of 470 participants and about fifty group discussions, is a first-of-its-kind study to objectively analyze opinions on the French presence in Africa.
An unprecedented investigation in Francophone Africa
According to TLP, the main objective of this research is to understand without bias the multiple anti-French manifestations, and then to seek key insights into the debates on French foreign policy on the continent. These movements have been widely interpreted as expressions of a growing «anti-French sentiment,» although few studies have yet explored the issue in depth.
One of the essential aspects of the report is the analysis of the French military presence in Africa. An overwhelming majority of respondents (85 %%) consider that the military influence of France is «important or very important» in their country, with a particularly critical perception in countries such as Niger, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. However, in Cameroon, this figure is slightly lower (62 %%).
The failure of the multiple interventions by the French army in the Sahel
The French intervention in the Sahel is perceived as a failure, being judged ineffective in the fight against armed groups. According to the Algerian daily El Watan, which covered the subject, a Gabonese participant summed it up as follows:« In most of the cases where France was present, there was no stability. ». A Cameroonian adds: « We are witnessing a generalized militarization in the areas where France is present ». This criticism is corroborated by a Nigerian: « Never in Africa, from colonization to the present day, has France resolved an African conflict definitively. ».
The elements collected in the discussion groups also focused on the ability of African countries to manage their own security without the intervention of foreign armies. While some participants consider this feasible, many point to the lack of resources and training for local armies.
Unadapted French military aid
A Gabonese participant states: « It is illusory to think that African countries can solve their security problems alone in the current context. »However, a Beninois emphasizes the importance of strengthening the local armies: « Rather than relying on foreign military bases, we must invest in the training and equipment of our armed forces. ».
The panellists also highlight the limits of French military aid. A Beninese participant notes that « The equipment provided by France is not always adapted to the reality of the terrain »This perception fuels a growing desire to diversify military partnerships, particularly with countries like Russia, which are considered more inclined to meet the needs of African militaries.
This particularly interesting survey highlights a profound and diverse critique of the French presence in Africa. Aspirations for greater autonomy, particularly in the field of security, are met with complex realities linked to a lack of resources. Nevertheless, the opinions surveyed reflect an increasingly pronounced rejection of a model of external intervention deemed obsolete, thus paving the way for renewed reflection on the relationship between France and Africa.
Complete investigation to be found at: BD – What is the name of the rejection of France in Africa .pdf
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