The Complicated History Between France & Its Former Colonies, Like Niger.
"Since childhood, I've been opposed to France.”
Friends,
Rather than bring you three highlights of the week (as I’ve been doing over the last month), I think today’s newsletter deserves to focus on Niger’s coup instead.
Niger is at the heart of Africa’s Sahel region and is one of the few remaining democracies in the region. Back in 2021, President Bazoum was democratically elected. But just last month, a coup was launched and Bazoum was seized by members of his presidential guard.
I’ll briefly go over the events relating to Niger’s coup as I understand them. I’ll also explore why the West – particularly France – has a vested interest in Niger, how the French has historically repressed African colonies like Niger, why Nigeriens may be frustrated and in support of the coup, and if bitcoin can be a way to financial independence.
Please note 1) I am not an expert on this topic and 2) I am not Nigerien, but a random observer from abroad. However, I’d still like to explore this topic if you’ll let me. I’d encourage you to do your own research on the topic too. And if your findings give you a different perspective, it’d be really cool to hear it in the comments section.
Quick Overview Of The Niger Coup.
Let’s first lay the table… as Tim Ferris says.
On July 26, soldiers detained the elected President Mohamed Bazoum. At that point, his government was deposed, the Constitution was suspended, and a military junta was formed. The junta cited the “continually deteriorating security situation” as a reason for the coup.
"We can no longer continue with the same approaches proposed so far, at the risk of witnessing the gradual and inevitable demise of our country… That is why we decided to intervene and take responsibility." – General Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of Niger's presidential guards/leader of the junta
Others believe Tchiani was at risk of being dismissed from his job and therefore led the coup. While others believe the legacy of French colonialism is to blame.
In response to the coup, a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries from West Africa called the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):
Condemned these actions
Imposed immediate sanctions on Niger
Closed the border (meaning that Niger as a land-locked country is not getting goods)
Banned flights to and from Niger
Halted financial transactions and froze assets
And withheld aid
ECOWAS also clarified that if the military doesn’t give power back to President Bazoum within a week (today, August 6th), they would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force.”
In retaliation, Niger’s new military rulers reminded ECOWAS that this was a bad idea and that they were determined to defend their homeland.
Meanwhile, the United States and France threatened to cut ties with Niger, “endangering hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.” Oh… and the World Bank also spoke out against the coup.
Fast forward to August 3rd, large crowds gathered at Niamey (the capital of Niger) to celebrate their independence from France, with many chanting France to get out of Niger.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, I have some questions.
Why Is The West – Particularly France – Concerned About This Coup?
I couldn’t stop wondering: why is the Western world, particularly France, so vocal about their support for President Bazoum? What’s in it for them?
A quick Google search suggested President Bazoum was an ally of the West (especially France) and that ECOWAS is an economic partner to the West. There were also allegations that President Bazoum “was a puppet for French interests.”
According to the BBC, Bazoum’s administration would often ban anti-French protests in Niger. Once, when the administration approved the redeployment of France's Barkhane forces to Niger, civil society groups in Niger escalated their anti-French protests only to be punished for doing so. And when the M62 Movement – an activist group that organized pro-Russia and anti-French protests – “led calls against the rising cost of living, poor governance and the presence of the French forces,” their leader, Abdoulaye Seydou, was jailed for nine months. The reason? "Disrupting public order.”
This silencing of anti-French protests is interesting.
Why would anti-French sentiment be silenced and punished under a democratic leader? Why aren’t Nigeriens allowed to express their resentment towards their previous colonizer? Why are Nigeriens feeling wounded and resentful enough of France to take over the streets in protest?
Thanks to Bitcoiners I have a bit of an understanding of where this resentment stems from. France has had a strong financial grip over countries that once formed their colonies, like Niger, which we’ll explore next.
France’s Strong Financial Grip On African Countries Like Niger.
There are two key ways France has repressed African countries like Niger.
By extracting and receiving raw materials and minerals at discounted prices
By enforcing the use of a colonial currency called the “Franc de la Communauté Financière Africaine” (or Franc of the Financial Community of Africa, CFA for short).
FYI: The “CFA region” is an area made up of 14 countries in Western and Central Africa where the CFA currency is enforced by France. The CFA is pegged to the euro and guaranteed by France, as their currency. CFA is known as a legacy of French economic policy towards its colonies.
1. Resource Extraction As Hidden Repression.
According to Togolese human rights activist, democracy activist, and writer, Farida Nabourema, France has a monopoly on resources from African countries that make up the CFA region.
“The French government has like the first right of refusal and choice over our natural minerals… We can produce phosphate in Africa. You have Mali, which is the top producer of gold. You have Niger, which is the first producer of uranium. You have Gabon, Congo, which are among the highest producers of oil. So also literally, the French government get to decide that they want to buy the oil and the minerals before we can sell to any other country or any other business.” – Farida Nabourema, Togolese human rights activist, democracy activist, and writer
It’s not surprising that some Nigeriens resent France for this and why in some cases have become pro-Russia and/or pro-coup.
“We came out to tell this little Macron from France that Niger belongs to us. It is up to us to do what we want with Niger, we deal with who we want,” Maman Sani, a pro-coup protester
Another way France repressed countries like Niger is through the use of the CFA currency, which we’ll discuss next.
2. Colonial Money As Hidden Repression.
Under the Colonial Pact (established by France), these former colonies weren’t allowed to have their own currency. Instead, they were required to use the CFA currency and hold it in French banks.
“And the requirement is that we keep 65% of our gold reserves in the Bank of France, which we can never access… In addition to that, we pay the government of France 15% to convert that money because the money isn't convertible to anything.” – Farida Nabourema, Togolese human rights activist, democracy activist, and writer
“The reality today for the 182 million people living in CFA nations is that while they may be politically independent in name, their economies and money are still under colonial rule, and foreign powers still abuse and prolong that relationship to squeeze and exploit as much value from their societies and geographies as possible.” Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at Human Rights Foundation
Monetary colonialism is a sly way to practice colonialism. The use of colonial money like CFA has succeeded in continuing colonialist practices and preventing Niger from being truly independent.
The Lethal Combination.
The combination of France getting first dibs at extracted resources and raw materials at a discounted price plus Nigeriens paying the French government high fees to hold their own money has impoverished Niger. It has contributed to the wealth of France at the expense of Nigeriens.
One thing I haven’t yet mentioned is that French companies also hold a monopoly over their former colonies’ communication, transportation, maritime logistics, mining, and resource-related companies, which enriches France, a country that isn’t known to be resource-rich while simultaneously impoverishing countries in the CFA region.
For these reasons, many Nigeriens are increasingly growing frustrated at the corruption and the lingering effects of French colonialism. They’re holding protests and in some cases turning to Russia.
"I'm pro-Russian and I don't like France… Since childhood, I've been opposed to France. They've exploited all the riches of my country such as uranium, petrol and gold. The poorest Nigeriens are unable to eat three times a day because of France." – anonymous protester in Niger
Perhaps turning to Russia might not provide the stability they’re looking for. Perhaps, in the future, we might see protests and coups on the basis of removing Russian influence.
Could there be an apolitical way to gain true independence?
“Democracies like France have this bad side… They won’t gift us liberty. Instead, we should follow in the footsteps of the cypherpunks, and seize our freedoms with open-source code.” – Fodé Diop, Senegalese Bitcoin and Lightning developer
Can Bitcoin Help Liberate Africans In The CFA Region, Like Niger?
Perhaps Africans in the CFA region, like Niger, need money that is independent from France. The only money in the world that is independent of nations is bitcoin. Bitcoin cannot be controlled by a government and is decentralized. Bitcoin doesn’t have a central bank printing money, controlling the issuance, or charging people an exorbitant amount to use it. And is money that can participate in a global market.
“They can’t colonize Bitcoin.” – Hill Harper, actor
“We should call Bitcoin the currency of decolonization.” – Farida Nabourema
Another option is of course Niger having their own money that is not bitcoin but is still independent of France. The risk with this new type of money is that it could also fall prey to corruption, theft, and crime. And its issuance and control would still be in the hands of politicians susceptible to being “bought out” by France for example.
Perhaps bitcoin could help Nigeriens become free.
Imagine if Nigeriens could own and control their own resources and not have to offer them to France at a major discount. Imagine if they could sell their resources, receive payments from anywhere in the world at a quick speed with bitcoin, keep the profits, and reinvest it in themselves to rebuild their country. What do you think they would do with all those profits? I bet they would build new hospitals, new schools, and homes rather than enrich people thousands of miles away.
Personally, I think bitcoin can help Niger gain a second, true independence. Bitcoin might not be perfect. Onboarding, education, and volatility are real challenges faced in the Global South. But at least it serves as an option to exit from the CFA currency.
I also understand that while my solution seems simple, the coup and Nigeriens' desires are broad and deep. And solutions are rarely so simple. I want to be mindful and respectful of that, especially during these sensitive times.
Now I’ll leave you with this. No matter what anyone in the media says, it remains a priority to listen to the chants of the Nigeriens to see what their demands are, to understand why these demands are what they are, and as a global community think about ways we can support them. Whether we like it or not, we have all – to an extent – benefited from their impoverishment. It is now time to pay it forward.
See you Wednesday!
Great article. Alex Gladstein has spoken of French neo-colonialism and the CFA. I would recommend that anyone interested in this issue read Check Your Financial Privilege and his new book, Hidden Repression. He is a director of the Human Rights Foundation.