Rethinking the Dynamics of Political Crises in Francophone West Africa: Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Niger

Abstract: The literature on Francophone West Africa shows that Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Niger have experienced numerous military and political crises since gaining independence in 1960. Especially over the past two decades, the dominant perspective, which emphasizes the multiplicity of crises in these West African countries, has strongly influenced national and international actors’ regional interventions. It is essential to rethink the dynamics of instability in these countries by recognizing that a single, ongoing crisis has been unfolding since the early 1960s. This article analyzes the insecurity literature pertaining to Francophone West Africa.