Story perspectives

Anti-Imperialism Rises as Sahel States Reject Western Control

2/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

France intervened in Africa since the 1960s to maintain control over former colonies.
Ndongo Samba Sylla (Senegalese academic) says these actions create "choiceless democracies" with despotic governments.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to reject Western influence.
AES leaders, including Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traoré, gained popularity for anti-imperialist policies and expelled Western forces and expanded ties with Russia.

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Story summary

France intervened in Africa since the 1960s to maintain control over former colonies.
Ndongo Samba Sylla (Senegalese academic) says these actions create "choiceless democracies" with despotic governments.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to reject Western influence.
AES leaders, including Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traoré, gained popularity for anti-imperialist policies and expelled Western forces and expanded ties with Russia.