Researching west Africa in the 21st century

In this essay, I will examine the themes of the course researching Africa in the 21st century in relation to my dissertation topic of ‘anti-French sentiment’ in West Africa. Firstly, I will analyze the impact of globalization, digitalization, and social media. Social media have become the main platform used not only by young people, but also by the population as a whole, to obtain information and express themselves. I will therefore examine the positive and negative aspects of this digitization and its influence on my research and methodology. I will then address the theme of crisis thinking, which is a state of mind that favors urgency over thoughtful response, in relation to the name given to this movement in West Africa, ‘anti-French sentiment’, a particularly strong and radical expression. Finally, I’ll look at the issue of decolonisation, as this is the main demand of young people. In their view, the decolonization of French-speaking countries in Africa was badly managed, so there is still a desire for domination by France, hence a strong need for independence.

The first theme I will address is globalization and digitization, as it is a crucial factor in my research and plays a significant role in the social and political changes in the region. During the 21st century, mobile telephony emerged first in urban areas and then in rural areas, becoming, thanks to smartphones, the primary means of accessing the internet. This access has led to the dissemination of information and has given the population the ability to express themselves through social networks and be heard by a larger or smaller portion of the population.

The influence of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Imo, which have become connectors not only for short messages but also for comprehensive information, discussion forums, videos, and audio messages where political and social issues take new forms and interpretations, is undeniable. Information shared on these platforms, whether accurate or entirely erroneous, has a considerable impact on the population’s perspective. As stated in the book “Digitalization and the Field of African Studies,”(Mr, Bruijn) information is a driver of social change; information channels shape meanings that have the power to influence social change as well as socio-political change.

In the case of my subject, the information circulating, along with photos and videos of protests against French policy in West Africa and French military presence in the Sahel, plays a significant role in shaping the population’s ideology. It also influences the perception of the situation and the demands made by external countries like France, which often have an exaggerated image of the situation. The most visible and daring critics of French policy in Africa are public activists and influencers on social media, whether they are French or African, who identify with Pan-Africanism, such as Kemi Séba, Nathalie Yamb, Franklin Nyamsi, Sylvain Afoua, or Maikoul Zodi. They represent a diverse spectrum of activism and viewpoints. Followed by tens of thousands of people on social media, often appearing on television shows in West Africa, these individuals vehemently criticize France and its policies, with some even advocating for Russian policies.

This digitization, especially the intensive use of social media, is a double-edged sword. It has positive aspects in terms of information availability and learning, facilitating communication between urban and rural areas as well as between different countries. However, it also enables the spread of false information and radical ideologies, potentially presenting an exaggerated image of reality.

As mentioned in Mr. Bruijn’s text “Digitalization and the Field of African Studies,” this development in the digital environment poses a new challenge in terms of critical knowledge production and allows researchers to explore new forms of collaboration and writing. These interactions on social media are part of the landscape where my research topic is discussed; thus, they are an integral part of my research. This digitization leads to new collaborations and co-creations because not only the educated elite but also the “connected youth” are part of my research scope. They provide on-the-ground information and share their analyses. Therefore, my research will not solely rely on academic works and debates but also on informal discussions taking place on social media.

The second theme I will address is the concept of crisis thinking. The rejection of French policy in Africa continues to grow. To describe this reality, which many recognize as complex, an expression has emerged: “anti-French sentiment.” This expression is rejected by large segments of the population on the continent. As explained by Beninese political scientist and founder of the think tank Wathi, Gilles Yabi: “I don’t know the origin of this expression of ‘anti-French sentiment.’ It is indeed found in the writings of many journalists in recent months, perhaps more. And I think it’s a little annoying for African analysts when asked about its existence. We keep explaining that it primarily stems from objections to French foreign policy on the continent, particularly in countries where France has had significant political influence and military presence for decades, or more recently in the context of military interventions, as is the case in Mali.” “There is no animosity toward French citizens just because they are French citizens.” Labeling the situation in West Africa as “anti-French sentiment” uses very strong words, evoking a radical sentiment, and this is part of crisis thinking. This expression emphasizes the urgency of the situation but also distorts the reality of the demands.

This expression contributes to crisis thinking, as we have discussed in class. Crisis thinking leads to actions taken urgently and in the short term, rather than well-thought-out actions that will have long-term repercussions. In the case of the situation in West Africa, this can have both positive and negative effects. Positive in the sense that it highlights the urgency and pushes the French government and the governments of West Africa to assume their responsibilities and make reforms such as reducing the number of soldiers deployed in the Sahel and the French president’s affirmation of his intention to break ties, notably with Françafrique. However, these actions are not sufficient and do not have a real impact on the independence of former colonies from France.

Furthermore, critical thinking often tends to focus on recent events and portray current political issues as emerging phenomena. However, it is crucial to recognize that France’s controversial policies in Africa are not a new phenomenon but rather a persistent problem rooted deeply in colonial and post-colonial history. For decades, relations between France and its former African colonies have been marked by controversies, military interventions, unequal economic agreements, and political interference. French policies in Africa have frequently been criticized for their neo-colonial nature, lack of transparency, and negative impact on the economic and political development of African nations. Therefore, critical thinking should take into account this long history of complex relations between France and Africa. Understanding the historical origins of these problems allows for a better assessment of the extent of the challenge and enables the consideration of more effective and sustainable solutions. It is essential to analyze these issues within a broader historical context to develop informed and nuanced critical perspectives on French policy in Africa.

Moreover, this linguistic ease, which, when viewed from Africa, is not only criticized by large segments of the population; it also reinforces the idea that it primarily involves feelings or even a purely emotional reaction. Many see it as a vestige of the “colonial library,” particularly the degrading image of the irrational and emotional “Negro,” which is also found in the famous quote from the late poet-president Léopold Sédar Senghor: “Emotion is Negro, as reason is Hellenic.” This reveals the necessity of decolonization in general and also of thought.

This is why the third theme I will examine is decolonization, as it constitutes the heart of the problem and is the main demand of the movement. “The anti-French sentiment has a long history, dating back to poorly conducted decolonization,” argues Rémi Carayol. Indeed, anti-French sentiment is increasing day by day in African countries, and people are starting to express their accumulated discontent more freely. We remember the attack on the French embassy in Ouagadougou and the French Institute in Bobo Dioulasso on October 1, 2022, as well as the regular protests in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger against the French presence. The main reason for this anti-French sentiment lies in France’s policies towards its former colonies. Unlike the British, who practiced colonization focused on a certain autonomy for the colonized populations, the French adopted purely assimilative and much more centralizing concepts. African countries denounce neo-colonialism, in addition to accusations of the French army’s incompetence in ensuring security. Francophone Africa remains dependent on France today. As Gilles Yabi explains, “What is at stake is the reality of military interventions or permanent military presence in a number of countries on the continent, and the feeling that this military presence and political influence, even in countries where there is no military presence, are in line with colonization and decolonization that has not put an end to the desire for domination or control.” As Tamales explains, the African decolonization/decolonial project aims to “rebuild the relationship between African peoples and colonizers.” The desire in Francophone Africa is to establish an equal relationship with France and not a relationship between the dominant and the dominated, whether economically, politically, or militarily.

Regarding my research and my approach to this issue, it is essential to discuss the decolonization of knowledge. Ndlovu-Gatsheni’s work emphasizes the importance of decolonizing African intellectual and academic spaces, allowing diverse perspectives, voices, and knowledge systems to flourish. He advocates for the recognition and validation of African indigenous knowledge and epistemologies, which are often marginalized or ignored in dominant academic discourse. Therefore, in my field research, I will focus more on works written by African intellectuals, particularly those from West Africa, to deeply understand the underlying issues of this movement. During my research for this essay, I have read several analyses of the situation conducted by French media or intellectuals. I observed that the approach was mostly negative, with some aiming to blame Russia or depict this movement as brainwashing. In contrast, in African media and on social networks, hope prevails. My intention in this research is to detach myself from my Eurocentric ideals and concentrate on a purely African ideology.

In conclusion, this study highlights the complex dynamics surrounding “anti-French sentiment” in West Africa, focusing on the themes of globalization, digitization, decolonization, and crisis thinking. The undeniable role of social media in providing information and enabling expression is accompanied by challenges related to information reliability. It is crucial not to fall into crisis thinking, which can lead to impulsive and short-term actions, as well as a lack of contextualization of events. A thoughtful and balanced approach is necessary to understand the nuances of this movement. The rejection of French policies stems from a history of poorly managed decolonization and persistent neo-colonial policies. The demands of the youth underscore the need to establish equitable relations with France, both economically and politically, rejecting the domination models of the past.

In my research, to move beyond Eurocentric perspectives and fully grasp the complexity of the situation, I have chosen to prioritize African viewpoints, relying on the works of West African intellectuals.

Eboulé, Chistian,”Le sentiment anti-français”, retour sur une expression contestée sur le continent africain, TV5 Monde, MAR. 2023.

Roger, Benjamin, « À bas la France ! » : enquête sur le sentiment anti-français en Afrique, jeuneafrique, décembre 2019.

Book review of Sylvia Tamale, Decolonization and Afro-Feminism, Ottawa, Daraja Press, 2020, pp. 420

Tamara Giles-Vernick, “Postscript: A pandemic read on African health and environmental histories”, Health & Place: 1-2, 2022.

De Bruijn, Mirjam. 2019. Digitalization and the field of African studies. African Books Collective.

Happi, Cristian, « Le sentiment anti-français a une longue histoire, qui remonte à une décolonisation mal menée », affirme Rémi Carayol, actu cameroun, Jan 2023.