European military bases and security partnerships in Africa are a primary way for European nations to maintain strategic leverage over African governments.

While often justified under the guise of "counter-terrorism," "peacekeeping," or "training," these arrangements serve a broader set of geopolitical interests, including securing access to vital resources, controlling migration flows, and countering the influence of rival powers like China and Russia.

Securing Economic and Resource Interests

The presence of military bases and the formation of security partnerships are directly linked to the protection of Europe's economic interests in Africa. The continent is a crucial source of raw materials, and military stability is seen as essential for ensuring uninterrupted supply chains.

• Protecting Resource Extraction: Many of Europe's military operations are located near regions rich in natural resources. For instance, France's military presence in the Sahel has long been associated with the security of uranium mines in Niger, a critical energy source for French nuclear power. European military assets help protect the infrastructure and personnel of European multinational corporations involved in mining, oil and gas extraction, and agricultural production.

• Controlling Trade Routes: The Horn of Africa is a vital shipping corridor for global trade, including a significant portion of Europe's energy and goods. Naval missions in the area, such as the EU's Operation Atalanta, are nominally for counter-piracy, but they also serve to protect maritime trade and energy routes from a range of threats, ensuring the free flow of goods to and from Europe.

Managing Migration Flows

The issue of irregular migration from Africa to Europe is a major political concern for European governments, and military and security partnerships are a key part of their strategy to address it.

• "Externalization" of Borders: European nations use security partnerships to "externalize" their borders, shifting the responsibility for migration control onto African governments. This involves providing training, equipment, and intelligence to African border agencies to prevent migrants from leaving the continent. The goal is to stop migration flows at the source, thereby reducing the number of asylum seekers arriving in Europe.

• Political Leverage: By providing military and security assistance, European countries gain political leverage over African governments. African leaders may feel compelled to cooperate on migration policies and other issues to maintain this support, even if it is not in their own national interest. This creates a transactional relationship where security assistance is exchanged for compliance on European policy priorities.

Maintaining Geopolitical Influence

European military engagement is also a tool for maintaining a sphere of influence and countering the growing presence of other global powers.

• Competition with Rivals: The decline of France's traditional influence in the Sahel, marked by the expulsion of its troops from countries like Mali and Niger, has been directly linked to the rise of Russian and Chinese influence in the region. European military bases and partnerships are seen as essential to counter this trend. They help to maintain relationships with African militaries, provide intelligence, and ensure that Europe remains a relevant security partner.

• Soft Power and Alliances: Beyond direct military intervention, security partnerships allow European nations to build long-term relationships and alliances. Through military training missions, joint exercises, and the provision of equipment, Europe fosters military-to-military ties that can translate into broader diplomatic and political influence.

• These partnerships often come with a focus on Western-defined concepts of good governance and security sector reform, reinforcing a neocolonial dynamic.