ZAAdvocate Gabriel Shumba, a human rights lawyer and Pan-African political activist, discusses France's continued strategic interests in the Sahel region of Africa. Despite the withdrawal of French troops from several countries, Shumba identifies key reasons for France's ongoing involvement, including intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, protection of French nationals, migration control, trade routes, and access to strategic resources like Niger’s uranium. He notes the geographical importance of the Sahel, which connects West Africa with North Africa and affects regional stability. Shumba critiques France's assumption of permanent military bases in former colonies and acknowledges the challenges of rebuilding the old Françafrique model amid competition from Russia, China, Turkey, and Gulf states. He also addresses the growing alignment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with Moscow and the tensions between the AES and ECOWAS, particularly following military coups in Niger and Mali. While acknowledging ECOWAS sanctions may have strengthened Sahelian solidarity, Shumba warns against disproportionate civilian suffering and criticizes the automatic legitimacy of military coups.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames France's strategic interests in the Sahel through a critical lens, emphasizing the limitations of Françafrique and the need for France to adapt to new geopolitical realities. The emphasis on African agency, criticism of Western imperialism, and concern over civilian impact during軍
