Indigenous Languages in French West Africa: Panacea to Neocolonialism and Proliferation of Military Coups

Neocolonialism has been a source of dependence, underdevelopment and conflict in Africa.  It is currently, one of the raison d’être for the new wave of forceful regime changes occurring in the African continent. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Mali and Niger have experienced military takeover between 2020 and 2023, and one of the reasons advanced is France’s extant neocolonial agreements. The sense of triumphalism and euphoria that greeted the change of governments in the countries mentioned above was unprecedented. Against this backdrop, with the use of the dependency theory and grand narratives from existing literature, this paper argues that since language is a unifying force, and a veritable tool for communication and mobilization, West African Francophone countries should purposefully develop and deploy their indigenous languages for the deliberate conscientization of their citizens against the obnoxious and deleterious French neocolonialism. Furthermore, it posits that the development and intentional usage of indigenous languages by French-speaking West African countries for public enlightenment at all levels will enhance unity of purpose in the fight against the neocolonial policy of France, result to the termination of existing neocolonial agreements, the realization of real political cum economic emancipation and the stoppage of rampant military coup d’état in the sub-region.