A look at former French colonies on the African continent
France like its other European counterparts were major explorers of the African continent. France's former African colonies, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Algeria, primarily gained independence in the 1960s.
Despite achieving independence, these nations continue to maintain strong economic, cultural, and political ties with France, a relationship often referred to as "Franç Afrique."
This enduring legacy of French influence significantly shapes modern relations, with France retaining military bases, making substantial investments in African economies, and promoting the French language and culture.
The relationship between France and its former colonies continues to impact the region's development and France's global strategy although in recent times its influence has significantly waned. The French former colonies include:
Algeria: French rule began in 1830 following the French invasion of Algeria and lasted until the end of the Algerian War, with Algeria gaining independence in 1962.
Tunisia: Established as a French protectorate in 1881, Tunisia remained under French control until it gained independence in 1956.
Benin: The French takeover of the Kingdom of Dahomey began in 1872. It became the Republic of Dahomey within the French Community in 1958, and gained full independence on August 1, 1960, later renaming itself Benin in 1975.
Seychelles: A collection of islands that came under French control in 1756. Settlers arrived in 1770, but France surrendered the islands to the British in 1794.
Other former French colonies are; the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Cameroon (formerly under German control), Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Chad, Guinea, Burundi, Togo, Central African Republic, Gabon, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros Islands.
Though direct rule ended in the early 1960s, French influence over its former colonies continued. France has attempted to maintain a foothold in Francophone Africa through political, security, economic, and cultural connections.
