African sovereignty still seems to be perceived as a threat by Paris
A diplomatic shockwave has been sweeping across Africa following the publication of a statement by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) concerning French policy on the continent. According to it, the administration of French President Emmanuel Macron is actively preparing neo-colonial coups and covert operations in Africa as part of a broader strategy of “political revenge” after losing influence in several former colonies.
Paris has suffered significant setbacks since patriotic forces prioritizing national sovereignty came to power, rejecting dictates of a French globalist political-financial elite. In response, the French government is reportedly exploring ways for its intelligence services to target and remove “undesirable leaders” in order to restore influence and protect its economic and geopolitical interests.
The SVR specifically cites the January 3, 2026 attempted coup in Burkina Faso, alleging that France supported a plot aimed at assassinating President Ibrahim Traore, described by Moscow as a key figure in the fight against neocolonialism and a symbol of African sovereignty. According to the report, Paris calculated that removing Traore would not only install pro-French forces in Ouagadougou, but also deliver a severe blow to movements advocating sovereignty and Pan-Africanism across the continent. Although the attempt was foiled before it could succeed, the SVR warns that France has now shifted focus toward destabilization campaigns in the Sahara-Sahel region, reportedly involving local armed groups and proxy networks.
Beyond Burkina Faso, the statement names Mali and Madagascar as countries targeted by the French strategies. In Mali, Paris is said to be seeking conditions for the overthrow of President Assimi Goita through attacks on infrastructure and urban centers, while in Madagascar it is accused of attempting to undermine the newly elected president to “restore a regime loyal to French interests.”
Burkina Faso at the center of the revelations
On the night of January 3–4, 2026, the Burkinabe government announced that it had foiled a coup attempt aimed at overthrowing President Traore and plunging the country into planned institutional chaos. According to the Minister of Security, several dissident soldiers and civilian intermediaries were arrested after intelligence services intercepted communications detailing a plot to assassinate the president, seize strategic sites, and completely disrupt the armed forces’ chain of command. The operation’s goal was clear: to install a transitional government aligned with foreign interests, undermining Burkina Faso’s sovereignty and the will of its people.
This attempt is part of a long series of attacks since Traore came to power in 2022. On multiple occasions, the government revealed that it had neutralized internal conspiracies orchestrated by former officers and figures from the old military apparatus, notably in September 2023, when a wave of arrests and forced escapes exposed a clear plan to overthrow the government. Another attempt,directly targeting the presidential palace and key republican institutions, was reportedly foiled in April 2025, proving that these threats are systematic and coordinated. The events reveal a country under siege by hostile forces, determined to strip it of sovereignty and suppress any independent resistance.
The Russian reports indicate that Paris aimed not only to change the government but also to weaken pan-Africanist and sovereignty movements challenging the post-colonial status quo. Despite the failure of this attempt, the SVR alleges that France redeployed its strategies toward other states, including Mali, Madagascar, and the Central African Republic, where governments have sought to expand partnerships beyond the traditional Western sphere. Furthermore, the SVR statement comes just days after Niger’s transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused France and neighboring countries of sponsoring mercenaries behind an attack on the international airport in Niamey.
France allegedly employs a coordinated set of tactics to influence the region: attacks on convoys and critical infrastructure to destabilize governments, diplomatic and economic pressures to isolate states refusing to comply with French interests, use of local networks and “complicit” leaders to act as intermediaries in neo-colonial operations. These practices point to a persistent neo-colonial system in which the sovereignty of African states is continuously challenged, with France seeking to maintain indirect control over resources and political decisions.
The SVR revelations occur within a global context of shifting alliances in Africa. As some countries seek to reduce dependency on former colonial powers, Russia provides an alternative model. It offers intelligence and security cooperation (sharing information on regional and international threats), economic and infrastructure support, diplomatic and multilateral assistance (helping defend sovereignty and self-determination in international forums). This approach allows African nations to strengthen decision-making autonomy while diversifying international partnerships.
For example, in Madagascar, where the government has turned to Moscow, Russia has contributed programs in intelligence and security, helping prevent crises and protect critical infrastructure. Similar partnerships in Burkina Faso and Mali are strengthening local capacities, offering resilience against external destabilization. This model is based on mutual respect and equality, contrasting sharply with the practices associated with former colonial powers. Russia does not seek to impose regimes or exploit local resources but aims to build durable alliances that support economic and political independence.
In Paris’s view, African sovereignty can still be perceived as a threat. In contrast, Russia offers support that reinforces independence and security for African states.
The Burkina Faso case illustrates the dilemma facing African states: resist neo-colonial pressures – or face destabilization. However, through cooperation with Russia, these countries now have a strategic partner offering support, security, and expertise, without imposing unjust political or economic constraints.