{"id":2318,"date":"2025-03-12T09:58:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T09:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/?p=2318"},"modified":"2025-05-13T05:50:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T05:50:09","slug":"mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/","title":{"rendered":"Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso: A Bold Break from Colonial Influence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2318\" class=\"elementor elementor-2318\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70986a1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"70986a1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdb0d02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdb0d02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-start=\"77\" data-end=\"113\"><strong data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"111\">Separation from Colonialism<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"114\" data-end=\"349\">Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have recently made headlines by <strong data-start=\"176\" data-end=\"217\">breaking away from colonial influence<\/strong>. These three nations have taken significant steps to reclaim their sovereignty and free themselves from <strong data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"346\">neo-colonial control<\/strong>.<\/p><h2 data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"386\"><strong data-start=\"354\" data-end=\"384\">Who Were the Colonialists?<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"387\" data-end=\"827\">The <strong data-start=\"391\" data-end=\"407\">colonialists<\/strong> were the <strong data-start=\"417\" data-end=\"435\">Western powers<\/strong> that participated in the <strong data-start=\"461\" data-end=\"490\">Berlin Conference of 1885<\/strong>. This conference was held in <strong data-start=\"520\" data-end=\"539\">Berlin, Germany<\/strong>, where European nations gathered to <strong data-start=\"576\" data-end=\"610\">divide Africa among themselves<\/strong>. The primary motive behind this division was to <strong data-start=\"659\" data-end=\"689\">exploit Africa&#8217;s resources<\/strong>, including <strong data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"745\">gold, diamonds, and other natural wealth<\/strong>, while ensuring that they did not <strong data-start=\"780\" data-end=\"800\">fight each other<\/strong> over territorial claims.<\/p><h2 data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"871\"><strong data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"869\">The Creation of African Countries<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"1112\">Before the arrival of <strong data-start=\"894\" data-end=\"908\">colonizers<\/strong>, Africa was a <strong data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"939\">unified land<\/strong> with no political borders. However, during the <strong data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1008\">Berlin Conference<\/strong>, European powers <strong data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1062\">drew artificial borders on paper<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"1067\" data-end=\"1109\">divided the continent among themselves<\/strong>.<\/p><ul data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1482\"><li data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1214\"><strong data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1125\">France<\/strong> took control of <strong data-start=\"1142\" data-end=\"1175\">Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger<\/strong>, along with much of <strong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1211\">West Africa<\/strong>.<\/li><li data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1302\"><strong data-start=\"1217\" data-end=\"1265\">Britain, Germany, and other European nations<\/strong> took their respective territories.<\/li><li data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1482\">These imposed borders resulted in some African nations <strong data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1379\">speaking French<\/strong>, while others <strong data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1452\">speak English, Portuguese, or other colonial languages<\/strong> that were forced upon them.<\/li><\/ul><h2 data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1521\"><strong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1519\">The Illusion of Independence<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"1522\" data-end=\"1745\">After achieving <strong data-start=\"1538\" data-end=\"1567\">independence in the 1960s<\/strong>, many African nations <strong data-start=\"1590\" data-end=\"1625\">supposedly gained their freedom<\/strong>. However, the <strong data-start=\"1640\" data-end=\"1669\">French maintained control<\/strong> over their former colonies through <strong data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1742\">economic and political agreements<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"1747\" data-end=\"2103\">One such <strong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1783\">controversial agreement<\/strong> required former French colonies to <strong data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1851\">continue using the CFA Franc<\/strong>, a currency <strong data-start=\"1864\" data-end=\"1885\">printed in France<\/strong> and controlled by the French government. Ironically, despite using this currency, <strong data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2006\">Africans cannot spend it in France<\/strong>. This economic system kept these nations <strong data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2073\">financially dependent<\/strong> on their former colonizers.<\/p><h2 data-start=\"2105\" data-end=\"2151\"><strong data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2149\">A Bold Move Towards True Independence<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2247\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3978\" src=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sahel_Presidents_toon.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"819\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sahel_Presidents_toon.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sahel_Presidents_toon-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sahel_Presidents_toon-768x432.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/p><p data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2247\">In <strong data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2163\">2024<\/strong>, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso <strong data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2244\">decided to break free from colonial influence<\/strong>.<\/p><ul data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2483\"><li data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2316\">They <strong data-start=\"2255\" data-end=\"2290\">expelled French military forces<\/strong> from their territories.<\/li><li data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2403\">They <strong data-start=\"2324\" data-end=\"2352\">removed French diplomats<\/strong> who refused to cooperate with their governments.<\/li><li data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2483\">They <strong data-start=\"2411\" data-end=\"2480\">rejected French control over their economies and military affairs<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2594\">These decisive actions marked the beginning of <strong data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2567\">a new era of self-determination<\/strong> for the three countries.<\/p><h2 data-start=\"2596\" data-end=\"2648\"><strong data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2646\">ECOWAS Stands Against the Breakaway Nations<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"2649\" data-end=\"2868\">The <strong data-start=\"2653\" data-end=\"2707\">Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)<\/strong>, an organization established in <strong data-start=\"2740\" data-end=\"2748\">1975<\/strong> to promote <strong data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2784\">economic cooperation<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2795\">trade<\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"2801\" data-end=\"2818\">self-reliance<\/strong>, surprisingly opposed these countries&#8217; actions.<\/p><p data-start=\"2870\" data-end=\"3051\">Rather than <strong data-start=\"2882\" data-end=\"2925\">supporting their fellow African nations<\/strong>, ECOWAS <strong data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2963\">condemned their departure<\/strong> from French influence. The reason? <strong data-start=\"2999\" data-end=\"3048\">ECOWAS receives financial support from France<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3191\">Instead of standing in solidarity with <strong data-start=\"3092\" data-end=\"3125\">Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso<\/strong>, ECOWAS <strong data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3164\">threatened military action<\/strong> against them, declaring:<\/p><blockquote data-start=\"3193\" data-end=\"3322\"><p data-start=\"3195\" data-end=\"3322\"><strong data-start=\"3195\" data-end=\"3320\">&#8220;We are ready to go any time the order is given to fight. The D-Day is also decided, which we are not going to disclose.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><p data-start=\"3324\" data-end=\"3442\">This statement exposed the <strong data-start=\"3351\" data-end=\"3398\">deep ties between ECOWAS and Western powers<\/strong>, raising concerns about its true purpose.<\/p><h2 data-start=\"3444\" data-end=\"3485\"><strong data-start=\"3447\" data-end=\"3483\">Formation of a New Confederation<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3652\">Despite <strong data-start=\"3494\" data-end=\"3513\">ECOWAS&#8217; threats<\/strong>, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have taken a <strong data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3575\">historic step<\/strong> by forming a <strong data-start=\"3589\" data-end=\"3606\">confederation<\/strong> to strengthen their unity and independence.<\/p><ul data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3972\"><li data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3740\">They have <strong data-start=\"3665\" data-end=\"3691\">created their own flag<\/strong> as a <strong data-start=\"3697\" data-end=\"3737\">symbol of their newfound sovereignty<\/strong>.<\/li><li data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3847\">Their <strong data-start=\"3749\" data-end=\"3784\">leadership will rotate annually<\/strong>, with <strong data-start=\"3791\" data-end=\"3844\">Mali chairing the confederation in its first year<\/strong>.<\/li><li data-start=\"3848\" data-end=\"3972\">They have implemented <strong data-start=\"3872\" data-end=\"3919\">independent financial and economic policies<\/strong> to <strong data-start=\"3923\" data-end=\"3969\">break free from Western-controlled systems<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><h2 data-start=\"3974\" data-end=\"4008\"><strong data-start=\"3977\" data-end=\"4006\">A New Era for West Africa<\/strong><\/h2><p data-start=\"4009\" data-end=\"4298\">The decision of <strong data-start=\"4025\" data-end=\"4058\">Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso<\/strong> to stand together marks a <strong data-start=\"4085\" data-end=\"4121\">turning point in African history<\/strong>. These nations are <strong data-start=\"4141\" data-end=\"4191\">leading the charge toward genuine independence<\/strong>, setting an example for <strong data-start=\"4216\" data-end=\"4243\">other African countries<\/strong> still under the influence of former colonial rulers.<\/p><p data-start=\"4300\" data-end=\"4429\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">This <strong data-start=\"4305\" data-end=\"4318\">bold move<\/strong> is not just about rejecting foreign control\u2014it&#8217;s about <strong data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4428\">reclaiming Africa&#8217;s dignity, resources, and future<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div style='clear:both'><\/div><div  class='the_champ_counter_container the_champ_horizontal_counter'><div class='the_champ_counter_title' style=\"font-weight:bold\"><\/div><ul class=\"the_champ_sharing_ul\"><li style=\"padding:7.35px 0 !important\" class=\"the_champ_twitter_tweet\" data-super-socializer-href=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-url=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\" data-counturl=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\" data-text=\"Mali%2C+Niger%2C+and+Burkina+Faso:+A+Bold+Break+from+Colonial+Influence\" data-via=\"\" data-lang=\"\" >Tweet<\/a><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=\/^http:\/.test(d.location)?\"http\":\"https\";if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+\":\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, \"script\", \"twitter-wjs\");<\/script><\/li><li style=\"padding:7.35px 0 !important;margin-top:-1px!important\" class=\"the_champ_pinterest_pin\"><a data-pin-lang=\"\" href=\"\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\" data-pin-do=\"buttonPin\" data-pin-config=\"beside\"><img src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/pidgets\/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png\" \/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\" async src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"><\/script><\/li><li style=\"padding:7.35px 0!important;margin-top:-2px!important\" class=\"the_champ_linkedin_share\"><script src=\"\/\/platform.linkedin.com\/in.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">lang: <\/script><script type=\"IN\/Share\" data-url=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\" data-counter=\"right\"><\/script><\/li><li style=\"padding:7.35px 0 !important\" class=\"the_champ_facebook_share\"><div class=\"fb-share-button\" data-href=\"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/mali-niger-and-burkina-faso-a-bold-break-from-colonial-influence\/\" data-layout=\"button_count\"><\/div><\/li><\/ul><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div><div style='clear:both'><\/div><p>Separation from Colonialism Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have recently made headlines by breaking away from colonial influence. These three nations have taken significant steps to reclaim their sovereignty and free themselves from neo-colonial control. Who Were the Colonialists? The colonialists were the Western powers that participated in the Berlin Conference of 1885. This conference &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,71,38,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-diaspora","category-new-ghana","category-news","category-world"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sahel_Presidents_Toon1.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3981,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318\/revisions\/3981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmtv.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}