FRENCH COLONIALISM TO NEO-COLONIALISM IN MALI

: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

The history of colonialism is very interesting and has had a noteworthy impact on the contemporary world. Between 1870 to the mid twentieth century, the continent of Africa encountered the full force of European colonialism. European powers fought each other to establish their footprint on the continent. Around 17th century, France began to establish its historical, economic and political footprint in Africa. Amongst other European countries, France expanded the most and by the 19th century it had conquered vast territories in West Africa. Nevertheless, a process of decolonization began in the latter half of the 20^th century against the backdrop of the Second World War. Although France ceased to govern these territories directly, it still retained substantial politico-economic clout in the region. Paris also cultivated strategic security partnerships with its former colonies in Africa. Between 1963 and 2013, France undertook several interventions.  Mali, located in West Africa, officially got independence from France in 1960. Still, it carries vestiges of its colonial past. This paper studies the continuing French influence in Mali, and how this former French colony in West Africa became victim of a resource war.