- Aleksander Olech
French empire.
From Latin America through Africa to Oceania - France is militarily engaged across the globe. Paris has always viewed itself as a great power, thus claiming a “place at the table” among other countries who claim the same title. In support of this ambition, the French maintain permanent military forces in many corners of the globe.
The Fifth Republic maintains troops in subordinate overseas departments, on the territory of foreign states under bilateral agreements, and using international military missions under alliances with the European Union and NATO. This enables it not only to implement the national security strategy of the French Republic, but also to influence the security situation of other entities, thus significantly influencing the U.S., Russia and China, as well as subordinating states weaker to itself. This is tantamount to pursuing its objectives through deterrence, counter-threats, and power projection.
International engagement is regularly used by Paris to remind itself of its continued presence among the most influential powers. This manifests itself as l'art de la diplomatie, where anyone can become a partner as long as such cooperation serves France's current or prospective interests. Conducting a multi-vector foreign policy does not negate maintaining good relations and profiting from simultaneous contacts with the U.S., Russia, and China. At the same time, in the regions where it’s present, France tries to have a real influence on the occurring economic, political, and/or military changes. So, where specifically are the French present?
Latin America
In the western hemisphere, French troops are stationed primarily in two locations. First, in the Antilles, an archipelago located in the Caribbean region. The French armed forces in the archipelago number about 1,000 soldiers comprising a Marine Regiment, a Naval Base, and an Air Force Base. The two French forts Desaix and Saint Louis on Martinique were constructed during the colonial era between the 17th and 18th centuries to allow for an immediate response in case of an attack by enemy troops or local pirates. It was thanks to these units that the French government maintained possession of the islands for many centuries. Centuries later, the tasks performed by French forces remain similar, including maintaining regional security and combating drug and arms trafficking. In case of crisis, the French are also responsible for rescue operations, such as after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, when the French launched Operation Séisme Haïti 2010 to help the affected population.
To the south of Martinique is another overseas department of France, French Guiana. The Armed Forces there account for more than 2,100 soldiers as part of a naval infantry regiment in the towns of Saint-Jean and Maripasoula. A naval base is located in French Guiana's main port, the Dégard des Cannes, while an air force base is located at Cayenne-Rochambeau Airport. There are currently 3 operations being carried out by the French military in Guyana. Opération Harpie - which aims to eradicate illegal gold mining sites. Opération Polpêche - in which the French control the sea lanes, fight piracy and illegal fishing. And also Opération Titan - which involves protecting one of the most important centers of the French Republic outside its home territory, namely - the French Guiana Space Center.
Interestingly, the people of French Guiana recently had the opportunity to gain greater autonomy. However, in a referendum held in 2010, 70% of voters voted against greater autonomy from France. A change in the department's status would lead to less financial and security support from Paris.
But, the status quo should not be taken for granted. French Guiana and the French overseas departments located in the Caribbean region remain a space of rivalry between the superpowers, and one of the challenges now is the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China, which aims to deepen relations with Latin American countries. Paris cannot afford investments equal to those made by Beijing, so the pressure on French influence in the region continues to grow.
Africa
It is no surprise that the largest French military presence is in Africa - the result of decades of maintaining colonies and, more recently - though not exclusively - in the fight against terrorism. Africa is the main theater of operations carried out by the French Republic. It is where many of its interests meet: not only military, but also economic and political. Soldiers of the Republic are present in a whole range of African countries - Gabon, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, or Libya being among them. Let us now take a closer look at a few of these countries.
From Africa's westernmost part of Senegal, Paris has a convenient logistical position to control the continent's west coast, including numerous trade and tourist routes that run nearby. 350 French soldiers are stationed in Senegal, which is called the "Gate of Africa". Mostly, in the country’s capital of Dakar. The air force is located on the site of the former 160th Dakar-Ouakam Air Base, while the naval base is located in the Contre-amiral Protet district, i.e. the former military port. Senegal is the main counter-terrorist checkpoint on the continent.
Moving further south, we find another important bridgehead of the French forces in Africa - the Ivory Coast located on the Gulf of Guinea. Despite gaining independence in 1960, the coast still remains closely linked with France, especially on economic issues. It is France's third largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria. There are almost 700 French companies in the state, including about 200 subsidiaries. The total revenue generated by these companies accounts for around 30% of Côte d'Ivoire's GDP. Paris identifies the Coast as one of the priority locations in Africa. That is why 950 French soldiers are designated to be based there year-round.
The 43rd Marine Battalion is stationed at the Port-Bouët camp in Abidjan. The air force, in turn, is based at La Bourgerie Air Base, which is located at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport. The standard responsibilities of the French forces include the protection of Côte d'Ivoire territory, its territorial waters and its airspace. In addition, it is a logistic focal point with the support of the G5 Sahel mission.
To the east of the Ivory Coast is Gabon. The French have had an intermittent presence there since 1960, which was the end of the colonial era marked by Gabon's independence. Paris was firmly determined to maintain its influence in Libreville. And this was because of the mineral deposits within these lands, specifically uranium. As the nuclear age began in 1942 and nuclear research intensified, the demand for uranium increased. For France, its African colonies, primarily Niger and Gabon, with their deposits, became the solution. France exploited Gabon's uranium deposits from 1957 to 1999, i.e. until the price of the raw material fell on the market. In a report published in 2009, the French Independent Commission for Research and Information on Radioactivity estimated that as a result of many years of uranium mining, the Gabonese territory, particularly the soils and groundwater, as well as buildings and forests, are contaminated with radioactivity. This is the result of direct dumping of mine waste into the Ngamaboungou River during the period of mining operations. It is estimated that of the 7.5 million tons of radioactive waste produced during this time, 2 million tons were dumped into the aforementioned river.
Currently, French forces in Gabon are a legacy from previous eras. 350 Marines and Air Force troops are stationed at the Charles de Gaulle base and the Guy Pidoux Air Base in Libreville.
Paris is also present on the other side of the African continent. Djibouti - this small East African country has an excellent strategic position. It is located on the Bab Al Mandab Strait, which connects the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea, and thus connects Europe with Asia through the Suez Canal. This is the most important sea trade route in the world. The location makes the land of Djibouti an object of desire for many important players. Therefore, this small state is the world leader in terms of the number of foreign military bases. Stationed on its limited territory are troops from China, the United States, Italy, and Japan. But also - France. Paris has an advantage over the rest, as Djibouti is one of the many French colonies and French is one of the two official languages in the country. The French currently maintain a deployment of 1,450 troops in Djibouti.
The Indo-Pacific
Before the opening of the Suez Canal, the sea trade route between Asia and Europe ran around Africa. Therefore, the major colonial powers had to have safe harbors in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. For France, this function was fulfilled by the volcanic island of Reunion, located to the east of Madagascar. Until 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal, the island remained a stop on the trade route to the East Indies, but after the opening of the canal, the commercial importance of the island decreased significantly. Nevertheless, Reunion, along with France's other overseas department in the region, the island of Mayotte, allows the French to control the southern part of the Indian Ocean. The main location is the Reunion Naval Base, which is based in the town of Port-des Galets.
On the other hand, in the northern Indian Ocean, the French can respond from the Abu Dhabi Naval Base in the United Arab Emirates. Under a 2008 agreement, the French maintain a permanent military presence in the UAE of about 650 troops. The United Arab Emirates covers the maintenance costs. In return, if the UAE is attacked, France is committed to maximum military engagement. Generally, Paris is heavily involved in the Middle East. In addition to the UAE, it is present in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait.
Maintaining a presence at strategic points in the Indo-Pacific should come as no surprise. Today, this is the region of greatest interest to the superpowers, mainly due to the Sino-American rivalry. France is cooperating with the QUAD group, which includes Australia, India, Japan and the U.S., and its main goal is to limit Chinese influence. Paris recognizes the risks resulting from China's rising power, as evidenced by the symbolic missions in the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait, as well as the joint exercises with the navies of the QUAD states.
Therefore, perhaps France's most important strategic location in this vast area is the island complex of New Caledonia and French Polynesia, which is to the east of Australia. Here, there is a French Naval and Air Force base which consist of 1,500 soldiers, including a Marine infantry regiment. Together with the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, the Armed Forces in New Caledonia form the main point of support for the Asia-Pacific area. A presence in such a remote corner of the globe presents a major logistical challenge - Pape'ete, the capital of French Polynesia, is nearly 16,000 km from Paris.
The islands are an object of interest for China. Beijing, which is constantly expanding its influence could eventually take these small economies into its growing orbit. Currently however, Paris provides the islands with economic and security support. Dependence on France is, for the time being, a protective umbrella. Though, it is not certain that this state will be maintained for long. In 2018 and 2020, New Caledonia held independence referendums, which supporters of unity with France won by only a small margin. In contrast, the mood of the Polynesians towards France deteriorates with the historical activities of the Republic. In the years 1966-1996, France conducted 193 atmospheric and underground atomic tests in French Polynesia. As a result of atomic tests, soil and rainwater are significantly contaminated and the number of reports of cancer diseases is very high. However, if the French manage to keep these territories in their sphere of influence, they will constitute a significant resource. Highly valuable for example for the Americans, for whom the forward presence in the Pacific represents a big asset.
Conclusions
Looking at the potential of the French Republic on the basis of its military activity allows a broader perception of the current directions of interest, objectives and potential plans for the development of its foreign policy. Maintaining significant forces away from its territory is closely related to the construction of the national security system, as well as to the development of strategic defense plans based on troops deployed globally and performing specific tasks that are closely dependent on the situation in the region. Currently, more than 20,000 troops are stationed outside of France as part of an official presence.
France does not have the capacity to keep up militarily with countries like the US, China, or Russia. However, its foreign military presence shows that despite the huge costs, constant rivalry with terrorist organizations and its own internal problems such as migration or socio-cultural differences, Paris has ambitions to be a global player, whose opinion must be noted by all globally significant states. Undoubtedly, France's colonial legacy is of great value, but without a proper strategy and the designation of large financial resources to maintain the sphere of influence, this vacuum will quickly be filled by Washington, Beijing, Moscow, or even Ankara.
Author: PhD Aleksander Olech / Insitute of New Europe
Based on the Report: “International Military Involvement of the French Republic”
https://ine.org.pl/en/international-military-involvement-of-the-french-republic/
