[CptFribble]

Mali and the surrounding countries were a French colonial territory for about 80 years from the late-19th through mid-20th centuries.

France has maintained relationships with its former colonies in West Africa, and frequently performs counter-terrorism operations there.

Some local West Africans are OK with it, others are not. A 2016 attack on a beach resort in Côte d'Ivoire was claimed by the attackers (AQIM - Al'Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb), to be directly because of the foreign presence in West Africa, and the beach resort was targeted specifically because it is popular with foreigners (4 of the 19 killed were French).

France's history in West Africa is complicated but it's probably because of that history that they continue to operate there.

[fock]

there's also the Francs CFA, meaning that these countries non-shadow economy is - in effect - still managed by France...

[lgeorget]

What do you mean by "managed" exactly?

[Rexxar]

I don't know what he means exactly but the main consequence is that the Franc CFA is pegged to the Euro. It has a big impact but I wouldn't call this "managing their economy".

[lgeorget]

I would say it has its advantages and issues but in any case, it's not being imposed on any country. Many have chosen not to use it.