Frantz Fanon and Burkina Faso

This is an excerpt from my essay: THE NEW BURKINABE STATE; FRENCH NEOCOLONIALISM AND WEST AFRICAN REVOLUTIONARY RESISTENCE.

Frantz Fanon was a Marxist philosopher and revolutionary who wrote extensively on the political and social dynamics of post-colonial societies, including those in West Africa and Burkina Faso. Fanon’s analysis of these societies was rooted in his belief that colonialism and imperialism had left a lasting legacy of economic and political exploitation that continued to shape these societies long after the end of formal colonial rule.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has been the site of multiple political upheavals in the past few decades. The country has faced numerous challenges in achieving political stability, economic prosperity, and social progress. However, one of the most significant obstacles that have hindered the development of Burkina Faso is its relationship with France. France, as a former colonial power, has exerted considerable influence on Burkina Faso’s political, economic, and social affairs, leading to the emergence of neocolonialism.

In recent years, Burkina Faso has witnessed a new wave of anti-French sentiment, culminating in a coup against French neocolonialism. This essay aims to explore the history of Burkina Faso and its relationship with France, the emergence of neocolonialism, and the new coup against French neocolonialism.

Burkina Faso, formerly known as Upper Volta, gained independence from France in 1960. The country’s early years were characterized by political instability, including a series of coups and military regimes. During the 1980s, Captain Thomas Sankara came to power and launched a revolutionary program aimed at transforming Burkina Faso into a self-sufficient, socialist state. Sankara’s government focused on improving education, health care, and agriculture and advocated for pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism. However, Sankara’s leadership was cut short when he was assassinated in 1987, allegedly with the support of France.

After Sankara’s death, Burkina Faso entered a period of political instability, marked by coups, military regimes, and civil unrest. During this time, France played a significant role in Burkina Faso’s political affairs, supporting various regimes and exerting its influence on the country’s economic policies. This led to the emergence of neocolonialism, where France maintained its grip on Burkina Faso’s political and economic systems, despite the country’s formal independence.

The new coup against French neocolonialism in Burkina Faso represents a significant turning point in the country’s history, signaling a renewed struggle for political independence and economic sovereignty. This essay aims to explore the historical context that led to the emergence of neocolonialism in Burkina Faso, the role of France in the country’s political and economic affairs, and the factors that contributed to the new wave of anti-French sentiment. Additionally, this essay will examine the implications of the new coup for Burkina Faso’s future and its relationship with France.

In this essay, we will discuss Fanon’s theory of colonialism and its impact on postcolonial societies, analyze his views on French neocolonialism and its influence on Burkina Faso, and examine the role of white supremacy in Fanon’s analysis of colonialism and its relevance to Burkina Faso.

Fanon’s theory of colonialism argues that colonialism is not simply an economic or political system, but a psychological one that affects both the colonizer and the colonized. In his book “The Wretched of the Earth,” Fanon argues that colonialism creates a “colonial mentality” in which the colonized see themselves as inferior to the colonizers and internalize their oppressor’s values and beliefs.

Fanon also argues that colonialism creates a “dual society” in which there is a sharp divide between the colonizer and the colonized, with the colonizers maintaining control over the political and economic systems. This divide creates a sense of powerlessness and frustration among the colonized, leading to social and political upheaval.

Fanon’s theory of colonialism has had a significant impact on postcolonial societies, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. His work has been influential in shaping the discourse around decolonization and liberation struggles in these regions. Fanon’s theory has helped to shed light on the psychological impact of colonialism on the colonized, and how it shapes their perceptions of themselves and the world around them.

Fanon’s Views on French Neocolonialism and Its Influence on Burkina Faso

Fanon was a strong critic of French neocolonialism and its influence on African countries. In his book “A Dying Colonialism,” Fanon discusses the French occupation of Algeria and its impact on the Algerian people. He argues that French neocolonialism perpetuates colonialism’s legacy by maintaining control over political and economic systems, while also perpetuating a sense of inferiority among the colonized.

In the case of Burkina Faso, Fanon’s analysis of French neocolonialism is particularly relevant. Burkina Faso was a French colony until 1960, and French influence in the country has continued through economic and political ties. Fanon’s analysis helps to explain the continued impact of French colonialism on Burkina Faso’s political and economic systems, and the struggle for independence and sovereignty.

Fanon’s analysis of colonialism also includes a critique of white supremacy and its impact on colonialism. Fanon argues that colonialism is not only a system of economic and political domination, but also a system of racial domination that perpetuates white supremacy. He argues that white supremacy creates a sense of racial inferiority among the colonized, leading to psychological and social degradation.

In the case of Burkina Faso, Fanon’s analysis of white supremacy is relevant in the context of the country’s history of racial and ethnic tension. Burkina Faso is home to over 60 ethnic groups, each with its own culture and language. The legacy of colonialism has perpetuated a sense of racial and ethnic division in the country, leading to social and political tensions.

The recent coup in Burkina Faso has once again brought to light the inherent instability and injustice of post-colonial African societies. The situation in Burkina Faso is a microcosm of the broader trends of political and economic disenfranchisement that have plagued the continent for decades. Indeed, the coup in Burkina Faso serves as yet another example of the neocolonialism that continues to grip the African continent.

It is impossible to understand the coup in Burkina Faso without acknowledging the history of the country’s post-colonial trajectory. After gaining independence from France in 1960, Burkina Faso experienced a series of coups, counter-coups, and political instability. This instability was driven, in large part, by the systemic political and economic disenfranchisement of the country’s citizens. Burkina Faso, like many other post-colonial African societies, has been unable to escape the neocolonial grip of the West.

Frantz Fanon’s work on neocolonialism is particularly relevant in the context of the coup in Burkina Faso. Fanon, a Marxist philosopher and revolutionary, argued that neocolonialism was a new form of colonialism that operated through economic and political control. Fanon’s analysis of neocolonialism is essential in understanding the complex social and political dynamics that have led to the current situation in Burkina Faso.

At the heart of the coup in Burkina Faso is the continued economic and political exploitation of the country’s citizens by the West. The country’s economic policies, which have been shaped by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have left many Burkinabes in poverty. The coup, in many ways, was a response to this economic disenfranchisement. The military, which has traditionally been a symbol of stability in Burkina Faso, saw an opportunity to take control of the country and address the economic concerns of its citizens.

Fanon believed that French neocolonialism in Africa was characterized by a complex system of economic and political control. He argued that the French were using economic and political levers to maintain their influence over their former colonies, even as they granted them independence. This control was exerted through a variety of means, including financial aid, military support, and economic pressure.

In Fanon’s view, French neocolonialism was designed to perpetuate the economic and political interests of the French at the expense of the African people. This system of exploitation, Fanon argued, would lead to continued poverty, inequality, and political instability in Africa.

In many ways, Fanon was right in his assessment of French neocolonialism. Even after granting their former colonies independence, the French continued to exert significant economic and political influence over these countries. This influence was often used to maintain the economic and political interests of the French, even if it came at the expense of the African people.

Moreover, the neocolonial system that the French put in place in Africa has had lasting effects on the continent. The legacy of this system can be seen in the economic and political instability that continues to plague many African countries today. It has also contributed to the continued exploitation of African resources and the perpetuation of economic inequality.

In short, Fanon’s opinion on French neocolonialism in Africa was that it was a tool used to maintain control over former colonies and perpetuate economic and political exploitation. Fanon was largely correct in his assessment, as the legacy of French neocolonialism can be seen in the ongoing economic and political instability in many African countries.

Fanon argued that post-colonial African societies were characterized by a deep sense of alienation and disenfranchisement. This alienation was rooted in the economic and political systems that had been imposed on these societies by colonial powers. Fanon believed that these systems were designed to benefit the colonizers at the expense of the colonized, and that they had left a lasting legacy of poverty, inequality, and oppression.

In the specific case of Burkina Faso, Fanon argued that the country’s post-colonial trajectory was marked by a series of coups and counter-coups that were driven by the underlying social and economic dynamics of the society. Fanon believed that Burkina Faso, like many other post-colonial African societies, was caught in a neocolonial grip that perpetuated economic and political exploitation.

According to Fanon, the only way to address these underlying dynamics was through a radical restructuring of the economic and political systems of post-colonial African societies. Fanon believed that this restructuring should be rooted in the principles of socialism and should prioritize the needs of the marginalized and disenfranchised.

Overall, Fanon’s views on West Africa and Burkina Faso were shaped by his belief in the lasting legacy of colonialism and imperialism. Fanon believed that the social and economic dynamics of these societies were deeply rooted in this legacy, and that only through radical social and economic restructuring could these dynamics be addressed.

The coup in Burkina Faso is a reflection of the broader trends of political instability and economic disenfranchisement that have plagued post-colonial African societies. Fanon argued that neocolonialism was a tool used by the West to maintain control over the resources and economies of post-colonial African societies. The situation in Burkina Faso is a clear example of this neocolonialism in action.

In short, the coup in Burkina Faso serves as yet another example of the neocolonialism that continues to grip post-colonial African societies. The continued economic and political disenfranchisement of Burkina Faso’s citizens is a reflection of the broader trends of exploitation and oppression that have defined the African continent since the end of colonialism. Fanon’s work on neocolonialism is particularly relevant in understanding the complex social and political dynamics that have led to the current situation in Burkina Faso. It is only through a deep understanding of these dynamics that we can hope to address the root causes of the coup and the broader issues of neocolonialism that continue to define the African continent.

This article was written by Max Jones, this article was published by Common Revolution Disrupts Monopoly, to see more brilliant work like this, follow our publication as well as giving 50 claps to this article.

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Completed on 6/25/2023