The Specter of the French Revolution in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso

This paper offers an analysis and comparison of the revolutionary ideals of the French Revolution and similar ideals fueling the contemporary uprisings in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso using Edward Said’s theory of postcolonialism as the central analytical framework. From the starting point of Said’s criticism of the West's cultural synthesis and control of the “Orient,” this study investigates how power, identity, and resistance to outside authority create historical and contemporary revolutions. The French Revolution of 1789 -1799 was a watershed moment in world history that radically altered the sociopolitical landscape of France and also served as an inspiration for later revolutionary movements around the world including Africa. This thesis argues that components of revolutionary ideals such as the quest for power, representation, and resistance to tyranny are also key components in modern conflicts by comparing the French Revolution to the current uprisings in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. France’s colonial policies paradoxically opposed the French republican ideal of freedom. Colonized nations, especially African and Caribbean, sought their own version of “freedom” by rebelling against French rule, forming the basis for the anticolonial movements that gained momentum in the 20^th century. In Mali in 2012, a military coup and the rise of Islamic insurgencies in northern Mali represent one of the recent insurrections against both internal corruption and neo-colonial influence. Malian secular and Islamist insurgents have used anti-colonial rhetoric to challenge the lingering influence of France in the region. The Niger and Burkina Faso insurgencies in 2023 and 2022 respectively, were also inspired by widespread frustration with neo-colonialism, foreign military intervention from France, and the failure of local governments to provide security and economic stability. These conflicts parallel the class struggle, which was one of the social causes of the French Revolution, as marginalized groups in these regions demand better governance and economic equity. Through a comparative analysis, this thesis investigates how socioeconomic imbalances, bad governance and leadership, and external influences reflect the circumstances that led to the French Revolution. By exploring these connections, this paper provides a more detailed and current understanding of how historical revolts have influenced the causes and consequences of current conflicts in the Sahel region, specifically Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The analysis is supported by previous studies on revolutionary movements and current reports on insurgencies in West Africa, highlighting the significance of revolutionary ideas in promoting social and political transformation.