France-Africa Relations: A Cooperation Based on Mutual Prospects or Continuity of Colonial Legacies?
University of Bamenda, Cameroon
Abstract
The relationship between France and Africa is among the most complex and
symbolic in modern-day International Politics. Officially, there is growing emphasis
on a 'partnership', and the pursuit of common interest and future goals; however,
many analysts argue that the French involvement in Africa still produces an unequal
distribution of power based on historical colonial domination. This paper will
examine whether current France-Africa relations constitute a significant shift
towards a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship, or simply represent a
reformulation of past colonial practices through new institutions and rhetoric. Using
Post-Colonial Theory, Debates surrounding Neocolonialism, and International
Political Economy, this research will assess the political, military, economic and
social aspects of France's engagement with Africa. Using a historical approach
along with a selection of Case Studies (Mali, Cameroon, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire),
this article provides evidence for both some positive developments, particularly in
terms of discourse and multilateralization, but also that strong structural
continuities exist. Therefore, the findings of this paper suggest that France-Africa
relations should be viewed as a transitional Hybrid System of competing logics of
Partnership and Post-Colonial Dependency
Keywords
How to Cite
Chick Edmond. (2026). France-Africa Relations: A Cooperation Based on Mutual Prospects or Continuity of Colonial Legacies?. The Rest: Journal of Politics and Development, 16(2), 245–260.
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