If you’re looking for more context on the region, I’ve built guides that cover a full West Africa itinerary, popular West Africa tours, tips for West Africa travel, the best West African food to try, and even how West Africa overland trips work. These resources give a fuller picture before diving into the political changes.
Social media has been sharing posts claiming that Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Senegal have all ended their military ties with France. The picture that keeps circulating shows the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger standing together at their Sahel Alliance meeting. It looks bold and historic, but the claims on social media can be confusing.
What’s happening across West Africa is real, but it is not as sudden or uniform as the viral posts suggest. Over the past few years, several countries have asked French troops to leave, ended long-standing military agreements, or renegotiated their terms. Some decisions were made under new military governments, others under democratic ones, but the direction is the same. Countries across the region are choosing a new path in security and foreign policy.
As someone who grew up in West Africa and has lived in the diaspora, seeing these changes hits differently. We grew up hearing about France’s influence in the region. We watched family members struggle with visa systems tied to colonial history. I was forced to learn French as part of the curriculum of a non-French-speaking country due to colonialism. We saw how military partnerships shaped our politics, security, and everyday life.
So watching these countries break away, one after another, feels like a shift many people have been waiting for.
What Each Country Did
Here’s what each country actually did, backed by verified reporting from a reliable international publication.
| Country | Action | Year | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mali | Ended military cooperation | 2022 | French troops withdrew after tensions with the military government. |
| Burkina Faso | Ended military agreement | 2023 | Ended 2018 accord and ordered France to leave within one month. |
| Niger | Canceled cooperation | 2023 | Post-coup leadership terminated agreements and removed French troops. |
| Chad | Ended defense pact | 2024 | Government ended decades-long defense agreements. |
| Senegal | Completed base handover | 2025 | France transferred its last bases after foreign agreement review. |
| Ivory Coast | Announced troop withdrawal | 2025 | Confirmed end of France’s military presence after decades. |
Why All of This Matters
This moment is bigger than military agreements. It reflects deeper conversations happening across the continent.
1. A Rejection of Old Power Structures
For decades, France kept a strong military footprint in West Africa. Many people believed this influence shaped internal politics in ways that were not always respectful of African sovereignty. Ending these pacts is a public declaration that countries want to create their own path.
2. A Regional Realignment
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a security and political bloc built outside of Western structures. Their cooperation focuses on mutual defense and shared economic interests.
This is the first time in decades that West African states are building new partnerships instead of relying on old ones.
3. A Fight for Stability
The region has struggled with insecurity, extremist violence, and political instability for years. Many governments argue that the French model was not working. They are now exploring new partners, including regional forces and non-Western allies.
4. A Shift in Public Sentiment
You can feel the change on the streets and online. Younger Africans speak more openly about colonial history, global inequality, and how foreign powers shaped the region. People want leadership that reflects local needs, not foreign expectations.
5. A New Chapter for the Diaspora
For many of us in the diaspora, these shifts raise big questions:
- Will travel become more difficult or easier?
- Will new alliances change visa systems?
- Will the region become more stable or more tense?
- How will Western countries respond to a continent pushing back?
These decisions may eventually reshape migration policies, international cooperation, and how African identity is understood globally.
The Viral Photo
The picture in the post shows the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger at the first Alliance of Sahel States summit. These are the three countries that formally withdrew from ECOWAS and created their own bloc.
The image is real, the summit happened, and the symbolism is intentional. The three countries want to present a united front.
But the screenshot circulating on Twitter oversimplifies the story. Every country took different steps at different times.
What To Watch Next
1. New security partners
Russia, Turkey, and China are expanding their presence in the Sahel. African-led forces are also increasing coordination.
2. Rising tension with ECOWAS
The Sahel Alliance and ECOWAS are heading in different directions. Travel and border policies could change depending on how both blocs negotiate.
3. A shrinking French footprint
France is closing bases across the region, not just the Sahel. Ivory Coast also announced the departure of French troops in early 2025. Al Jazeera.
4. National pride and cultural renewal
You can already feel a shift in how people talk about identity, sovereignty, and self-determination.
5. Regional uncertainty
While the change feels empowering for some, some worry about instability, especially since the Sahel is already fragile.
References
Sources
1. Chad ends defense cooperation agreement with France
Reuters reports that Chad formally ended its long-running defense cooperation agreement with France, marking a major shift in their military relationship.
2. France hands over its last military bases in Senegal
Al Jazeera covers France’s handover of its final military bases in Senegal, ending a 65-year troop presence after a review of foreign defense agreements.
3. Is Francafrique ending? Why Senegal is cutting military ties with France
This analysis explains the politics behind Senegal’s decision to review and reduce certain security agreements with France, and what it means for Francafrique.
4. France’s fading influence in Africa: The collapse of a colonial stronghold
TRT World looks at the broader decline of French influence in Africa, including troop withdrawals and the rise of new security and political alliances in the Sahel.
5. France starts 2025 with fresh controversy, questions over Africa
VOA reviews France’s changing role in Africa at the start of 2025, as multiple countries reduce or end their defense partnerships with Paris.
6. French military withdrawal from West Africa (2022–2025)
This page compiles timelines and reporting from Reuters, BBC, France 24, and others on French troop withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and beyond.
7. Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades
Al Jazeera reports on Ivory Coast’s decision to end France’s long-term military presence, adding to the broader regional trend of French withdrawals.
8. Why France should close its permanent military bases in Africa
A policy analysis that argues France’s permanent military bases in Africa were becoming a liability and explains the pressures behind calls for closure.
9. End of defense agreements between France and Chad: factors and stakes
IRIS breaks down the political background behind Chad’s decision to end its defense agreements with France, and how it fits into wider regional realignment.
10. Reuters and partner reports on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrawals
A collection of reports documenting French troop withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2022 and 2023, including official statements and deadlines.
How has West Africa’s break from France affected local banking services?
Local banks are slowly moving toward regional partners, new regulations, and digital tools instead of relying on older French-linked systems. In some countries this means more focus on local currencies and mobile banking for everyday transfers.
What digital payment platforms are growing in West Africa after the separation from France?
Mobile money leads the way. MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, Wave, Opay, and similar wallets are expanding as more people pay bills, send money, and shop through their phones instead of traditional banks.
Which telecom companies expanded in West Africa after the split from France?
MTN, Airtel, Glo, and other regional networks have grown in markets where French-backed operators once dominated. They provide the data and coverage that support mobile banking, fintech apps, and online business across the region.
Where can I find reports on West African markets that are less tied to French influence?
Look at publications from the African Development Bank, ECOWAS, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and the IMF. For news-style coverage, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and regional business outlets share regular updates on trade and investment trends.
What logistics providers support West Africa’s trade after breaking from France?
DHL, Maersk, MSC Group and its Africa logistics arm, and a mix of local freight companies handle most cargo in and out of the region. Key ports in Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal anchor new shipping routes and supply chains.
How can someone invest in West African businesses emerging after this shift?
Investors watch sectors like agriculture, logistics, fintech, and light manufacturing. Access points include regional stock exchanges, African-focused funds, and early-stage platforms such as Partech Africa, Future Africa, and similar venture groups that back local founders.
Which online marketplaces serve West African countries distancing from French economic ties?
Jumia, Konga, Afrikrea, and country-specific platforms power most e-commerce activity. They help local sellers reach buyers across borders without going through older French retail or payment channels.
What are the leading fintech startups in West Africa right now?
Wave, Paystack, Flutterwave, Opay, and MFS Africa are among the strongest names. They process online payments, support small businesses, and connect different mobile money and bank systems across the continent.
