By Victor Akan
Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has accused France of adopting a new strategy to maintain its military presence in Africa, despite widespread expulsions of French troops by several nations. Speaking at a ceremony in Ouagadougou on Monday, Traore alleged that France is now using private security firms to protect its interests while keeping soldiers in African countries under a different guise.
‘They will not leave certain countries,’ Traore said. ‘They will set up security companies to secure their businesses, but the soldiers will still be there. You will no longer see them in uniform or gathered in bases.’
Burkina Faso, which has been under military rule since January 2022, was among the first countries to expel French forces. In recent years, other West African nations—including Niger and Mali—have followed suit, ordering the removal of French troops and military bases. Meanwhile, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, and Senegal have demanded a gradual withdrawal of French forces, with France expected to complete its troop departure from Chad by the end of January.
Currently, only Djibouti and Gabon maintain an official French military presence.
Traore urged African nations to sever military cooperation agreements with France, arguing that true independence could only be achieved through self-reliant defence systems.
‘It is the only way to have an independent army, to build ourselves and to be strong,’ he stated.
His comments come in response to recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who lamented that African leaders had ‘forgotten to say thank you’ for France’s role in combating insurgencies in the Sahel region.
Traore dismissed Macron’s statement as an attempt to mislead the public. ‘This is just a smokescreen for the people,’ he warned.
According to Traore, the root of the issue lies in colonial-era defence agreements that many African nations signed with France after gaining independence.
‘If you want a break with these imperialist forces, it’s simple,’ he said. ‘We must denounce these agreements.’
Traore also criticised French military advisers, claiming they play a key role in shaping France’s policies on the continent.
‘In the French system, the most dangerous are the military advisers,’ he stated. ‘They are the ones responsible for putting France’s policies in Africa into practice.’
He called on Africans to reject foreign interference and work towards self-determination.
‘Africans must wake up, work for the happiness of their people, fight against imperialism, and decolonise their mentalities,’ he declared.
As France continues its military withdrawals across Africa, tensions remain high between Paris and former colonies seeking greater autonomy. Traore’s remarks signal a growing push among African nations to redefine their security policies and reduce foreign military influence.
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