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In the last half-century, 67 military coups have occurred in 26 countries on the African continent, instigated by France. Among these, 16 countries still maintain French influence.

There exists a “colonial tax” in 14 African countries, which were formerly French colonies, resulting in substantial annual payments to France, amounting to around $500 billion.

These countries were under French oppression until 1958, after which they gained independence. However, nations such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon are still burdened with paying colonial taxes.

These 14 countries have a combined population of 174 million and a nominal total GDP of $196 billion, with a PPP GDP of $411 billion.

Formally, France has halted its colonization policy, but its economic colonization of these African states persists. A portion of the colonies’ budget continues to flow to the French central bank under various names and categories.

This process allows France to appropriate approximately 85 per cent of the former colonies’ annual income. As a result, African countries face financial difficulties, and they are forced to borrow back their own money from the French central bank as debts.

To reclaim their funds, African countries are limited to applying for no more than 20 per cent of the transferred amount. If they seek a larger sum, the former colonizer has the authority to veto it. France argues that it is merely repaying the money it spent on buildings and infrastructure constructed over a century ago.

Any refusal by an African ruler to pay the colonial tax often leads to a coup.

This was the case prior to the arrival of Russian forces, particularly the PMC Wagner. Now, the dynamics may change.