How France Continues to Benefit From Its Former African Colonies

In an era where the echoes of colonization have ostensibly faded, and most nations have embraced the mantle of independence, a startling reality persists: certain countries continue to reap profits from their former colonies. As the world applauds the strides made towards self-determination, an unsettling narrative unfolds-revealing a web of exploitation and control that entangles France with its former African colonies.

In this article, we delve into the troubling dynamics surrounding France’s relationship with its 14 former African colonies, where a history of colonization is intertwined with present-day economic exploitation.

For over 75 years, numerous African nations have found themselves under the influence of France-a perplexing and enduring reality. France’s refusal to relinquish its hold over its former colonies is baffling, given the passage of time and the global shifts towards independence.

Why Do Former African French Colonies Still Pay Tax to France?

Former African French colonies still pay taxes to France due to a historical narrative that reflects France’s initial reluctance to grant complete freedom to its colonies. This reluctance underscored France’s determination to retain control over these territories. Colonial rulers maintained a mindset that aimed at benefiting France rather than the local populations, leading to the exploitation of resources and a lack of developmental progress within the colonies.

A prominent illustration of this approach occurred in Guinea, where the French systematically dismantled resources and infrastructure as a response to Guinea’s pursuit of independence. This pattern of suppressing independence movements was witnessed across various colonies, often involving tactics like supporting ex-French foreign legionnaires to thwart elected leaders. This resistance to granting independence was justified by the notion that fighting for independence was inevitable, which served to uphold France’s hold on these territories.

While France eventually granted some level of self-rule to its colonies, this freedom came with conditions. The newly independent countries were required to sign cooperation agreements that essentially maintained their ties to France. These ties were perpetuated through mechanisms like the French educational system, military presence, and commercial preferences, thus ensuring France’s continued influence.

The French Colonial Tax: Terms and Conditions

The Colonial Pact between France and its former colonies underscores the reluctance of the ruling European nation to relinquish its hold. This arrangement has undeniably favoured European interests, as African countries contribute a staggering 500 billion US dollars to France’s Treasury annually. The terms imposed by France on these nations during the colonial pact are as follows:

• Infrastructure Payments: Former colonies are obligated to cover the costs of the infrastructure developed by France during the colonial era.
• Foreign Reserve Control: These nations are required to hold 50 percent of their foreign reserves within the French Treasury. Remarkably, despite years of compliance, these countries can access only 15 percent of their reserves each year, necessitating borrowing if additional funds are needed.
• Resource Acquisition Priority: France enjoys the first right to acquire any newly discovered natural resources in these nations.
• Exclusive Procurement: French companies are given priority in all government procurement bids within these countries.
• Military Training: Senior military officers are exclusively trained in France.
• Mandatory French Influence: France maintains the right to deploy its military forces within these African countries and enforces the use of French as the official language in education and communication.
• French Colonial Currency: The former colonies are obligated to use the French colonial currency and must submit reserve reports to France.
• Military Alliances Approval: These ex-colonies are prohibited from entering into military alliances with other nations without France’s prior approval.
• Shared Military Engagement: Lastly, these ex-colonies are compelled to collaborate with France during times of war or global crises.

France’s Endless Exploitation of Africa

The acceptance of this French Colonial Tax by the former French colonies was driven by fear of facing repercussions similar to those experienced by other colonies. However, this Colonial tax is widely criticized as a form of exploitation and neocolonialism, given that these nations lack control over their own currency. France’s apparent hold over these countries is akin to a hostage situation, where their sovereignty is compromised.

The lack of control becomes evident in the fact that these 14 countries have no transparency regarding the exact proportion of the funds they send to the French Treasury that rightfully belongs to them. This lack of fiscal autonomy has led some of these nations to seek alternatives and solutions to escape this contentious arrangement.

Former French President Jacques Chirac candidly stated, “Without Africa, France will slide down into the ranks of a third-world power.” This sentiment was already expressed by his predecessor, François Mitterrand, in 1957, who remarked that without Africa, France would lack a meaningful role in the 21st century.

Presently, these 14 countries remain ensnared by an exploitative colonial pact with France, mandating that 85 percent of their foreign reserves be placed within the French Central Bank and granting French ministers of finance control. African leaders who resist this arrangement often face dire consequences-assassination attempts or coups. On the contrary, those who comply are rewarded with opulent lifestyles while their people endure poverty and desperation. This malevolent system, denounced even by the European Union, is sustained by France despite its extraction of roughly 500 billion dollars annually from Africa.

Accusations of corruption and prioritizing Western interests frequently plague African leaders. However, these behaviours are rooted in fear of being assassinated or subjected to interventions. These leaders seek powerful nations to support them in times of aggression or crisis. Unfortunately, Western protection often comes at the cost of these leaders forsaking their own people’s interests in favour of serving foreign nations.

France’s actions are predatory, capitalizing on Africa’s resources to sustain its own prosperity. Through inflated interest rates, often reaching five to six percent or more, France extends credits to Africa, deepening the economic disparity. The allegory of Africa sustaining France at its own expense is not an exaggeration but a harsh reality that demands immediate rectification. The cycle of exploitation and dependency, perpetuated by this colonial-era pact, must cease for genuine progress to take hold.

Here are the 14 African Countries that still pays colonial taxes to France: