Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have announced their withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the international body representing French-speaking nations. This decision, made in March 2025, reflects the countries’ ongoing efforts to distance themselves from French influence and redefine their international alliances.
The move follows a series of political shifts in these nations, each experiencing military coups between 2020 and 2023, leading to the establishment of military-led governments. In response to these coups, the OIF had suspended the memberships of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, citing concerns over democratic governance. The recent decision to fully withdraw from the OIF underscores the countries’ intent to assert their sovereignty and pursue independent foreign policies.
In addition to exiting the OIF, these nations have taken steps to reduce French cultural influence domestically. Both Burkina Faso and Mali have replaced French as their official language and have banned several French-speaking media outlets. These actions are part of a broader strategy to diminish the legacy of French colonialism and promote indigenous languages and cultures.
The withdrawal from the OIF aligns with the AES’s formation, a coalition aimed at enhancing regional cooperation on security and economic matters. The AES countries have expelled French military forces and have sought new partnerships, notably with Russia, to address security challenges in the Sahel region.
