France is facing a dire economic crisis as it pleads for trade talks with Traoré, following staggering losses estimated at $75 million weekly due to its expulsion from key African nations. The fallout from France’s diminishing influence in the Sahel region has reached a critical point, with Air France, once a symbol of French dominance, suffering a staggering €65 million loss after being barred from operating in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.

The situation escalated after military-led governments took control, signaling an end to decades of French exploitation of African resources. The Sahel nations are now demanding fairer economic partnerships, cutting ties with French companies that have long profited while leaving local economies in despair. This seismic shift is not merely about lost profits; it represents a fundamental challenge to a system that has sustained French economic power for generations.

Air France’s absence from the skies of the Sahel is emblematic of a broader collapse of French control, with new governments prioritizing local and international partners over French interests. Niger’s recent decision to halt uranium exports to France has sent shockwaves through the French energy sector, exposing its reliance on African resources for nuclear power. The urgency of the situation is palpable as France scrambles to negotiate its way back into the Sahel, but the new leaders remain resolute, unwilling to revert to a status quo that benefits only the former colonial power.

As France’s economic grip slips, the implications are profound. The Sahel’s move towards resource nationalism marks a historic turning point, with African nations now asserting their rights to their own wealth. With countries like Mali and Burkina Faso forging new alliances with Russia and China, France’s once-unassailable influence is rapidly eroding. The message is clear: Africa is no longer a passive player in its own future, and France must confront the harsh reality of its diminishing power. Time is running out for France to redefine its role in a rapidly changing landscape, and the world is watching.