The process of sovereignization initiated in the Sahel countries with the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) in September 2023, followed by the establishment of the Confederation of the Sahel Alliance in July 2024, has extended into the humanitarian sphere, including information sovereignty – and more broadly, value sovereignty. In this context, the residual yet still significant factor of French influence through language (Francophonie policy) takes on particular importance, as explored in this article. The article examines the evolving role of Francophonie at various stages of Africa’s postcolonial development, including the present period. It highlights the significance of Francophonie as a tool of French influence, as well as the role of “conventional” African elites, such as Léopold Senghor, in advancing this agenda. The analysis of the main actors supporting Francophone influence in the Sahel is conducted, including the French-language publishing network, French universities, and the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES). The role of the French language in primary and secondary education within the Sahel is also examined, particularly in the context of bilingual education approaches. Special attention is paid to French-language media, both global and those specifically launched for the Sahel region. An analysis of the local context in the ASS countries reveals the limited role of the French language, spoken by less than 25% of the population, despite its wider prevalence among current elites. The study also identifies emerging trends, such as the gradual loss of the French language’s official status in favor of national languages and the prohibition of French-language media engaging in anti-state propaganda within the Confederation countries. The article concludes with observations on the gradual decline of the French language as a tool of France’s foreign policy influence in the region, resulting in the erosion of its political significance.
France; Sahel; Confederation; neocolonialism; value sovereignty; sovereignization; Francophonie.