Lavrov Accuses France of Trying to Undermine Governments in Ex-African Colonies
In recent years, France has seen a decline in its presence in parts of Africa, particularly after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger ended military cooperation agreements and expelled French forces. The governments of these countries have accused Paris of backing jihadist insurgent groups. France, for its part, has questioned the legitimacy of the military-led authorities in those states and has stated its support for a return to civilian rule.
Speaking before the Russian parliament on Wednesday, Lavrov claimed that France is working to destabilize nationalist governments in the Sahara-Sahel region and elsewhere on the continent. He asserted that although these countries have distanced themselves from their former colonial power, France is allegedly attempting to influence developments through opposition groups, armed factions, and what he described as Ukrainian involvement.
Lavrov also accused French authorities of continuing to employ “colonial” strategies, including tactics aimed at dividing local actors for strategic advantage.
Separately, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) recently claimed that French President Emmanuel Macron had authorized intelligence operations targeting leaders deemed undesirable in Africa. The SVR alleged that French operatives were connected to a failed coup attempt in Burkina Faso last month, including a purported plot to assassinate the country’s military leader, Ibrahim Traore. It further accused France of contributing to instability in Mali and the Central African Republic, including alleged coordination with Ukraine to supply armed groups with drones.
France has not publicly confirmed these accusations.
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