Ruchita Beri is a leading scholar and commentator on African Studies. She is currently Senior Fellow at Vivekananda International Foundation. In a career spanning over three decades, she has coordinated the Africa Centre at MP-IDSA, served as President of African Studies Association of India, member of CII’s Africa Committee and Editor of Africa Trends, a bi- annual magazine on Africa.
French Military Presence in Africa
- Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have terminated or plan to terminate defense agreements with France.
- G5 Sahel group (Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Mauritania) initially supported by France, now rejecting French presence.
- France’s intervention (2013–2022) failed to stabilise the region or curb terrorism.
Reasons for Declining French Influence
- Failure to deliver on security objectives; terrorism persists in the Sahel.
- Economic issues: Poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment remain unresolved.
- Local dissatisfaction with perceived neo-colonialism and resource exploitation by France.
- Increasing preference for alternative partners like Russia, China, and India.
Geopolitical Shifts in the Sahel
- Russia’s Wagner Group entering Mali and other regions as France exits.
- Countries exploring partnerships with the Global South (e.g., India, UAE, Turkey) for economic and security support.
- Criticism of “Francafrique” policies for perpetuating dependence and stifling sovereignty.
Impact of Libya’s Fall (2011)
- Arms trafficking and mercenary migration destabilised the Sahel.
- Rise of terror groups like ISIS-linked factions and Boko Haram.
- Ongoing instability linked to poor governance and ethnic conflicts.
India’s Role in Africa
- Long-standing trade and maritime ties, with economic cooperation dating back centuries.
- Recent defence and maritime partnerships with Kenya, Tanzania, and others.
- Focus on capacity building, disaster response, and piracy mitigation in the Indian Ocean.
- Growing interest in supporting Africa’s development and security priorities.
- India’s trade with Africa has deep historical roots, dating back to the first century A.D., facilitated by Indian Ocean trade routes.
- Post-independence, India developed close economic relations with African nations, with trade volumes nearing $100 billion.
- Major trading partners include South Africa and Nigeria, though oil imports from Nigeria have declined.
- India is increasingly focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, and technology investments in Africa.
- India’s military collaboration emphasises capacity building rather than direct intervention.
- Maritime security is a key area, with India assisting African nations in surveillance, anti-piracy operations, and disaster response.
- The Indian Navy has been active in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 to combat piracy and ensure safe trade routes.
India: Recent Partnerships
- Kenya: Cooperation on maritime security and economic development.
- Tanzania: Enhanced defense ties following high-level talks in 2023.
Maritime Interests and Challenges
- Africa’s coastal nations lack strong naval capabilities; India provides training and technical support for Coast Guards and naval forces.
- Rising piracy and security threats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have renewed India’s focus on maritime security.
- The instability impacts 90% of India’s trade passing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
Global South Partnerships
- India is positioning itself as a partner aligned with African nations’ development and sovereignty goals.
- African nations view India as a reliable alternative to Western powers, prioritising equitable and demand-based collaborations.
- India’s partnerships focus on supporting African development priorities rather than imposing neo-colonial influence.
Future Prospects
- India’s interest in Africa is likely to grow, leveraging historical ties and shared Global South identity.
- Potential areas of collaboration include renewable energy, digital technology, healthcare, and agriculture.
- India aims to deepen its presence in Africa while respecting the continent’s sovereignty and development needs.
Challenges Ahead
- Continued instability in the Sahel despite changes in partnerships.
- Uncertainty over whether new alliances can effectively address security and development needs.
