The Challenge of Former French Soldiers in African PMCs

In recent years, an increasing number of former French servicemen have joined private military companies (PMCs) operating across Africa. This trend has raised significant concerns among French high command, as it effectively outsources France’s military presence to unregulated, non-state actors beyond Paris’s direct control.

A Gap Left by Troop Withdrawals

As France has reduced its troop presence in the Sahel and other regions, several African governments—battling jihadist threats and pervasive insecurity—are increasingly turning to PMCs to:

• Secure critical infrastructure such as mining sites.
• Train and support under-resourced national armies.
• Protect government officials and NGO personnel.

These PMCs, often headquartered in Anglo-Saxon countries, value the extensive combat experience and linguistic skills of former French soldiers, particularly those with operations experience in Francophone Africa.

In Demand: Experienced French Veterans

Veterans from operations in Mali, Niger, and beyond are in high demand by firms such as:

• Bancroft Global Development (U.S.): Recruiting parachute-trained ex-soldiers for Sahel security missions.
• G4S (U.K.): Contracted to guard sensitive facilities and convoys.
• The Development Initiative and Erinys (both U.K.): Involved in demining and risk management.

This outflow of skilled personnel poses a paradox: while France reduces its official military footprint, its former soldiers remain active under foreign banners, potentially undermining the capacity of France’s own armed forces.

A Strong Presence in West Africa

Western military sources report that U.S. contractor Amentum has deployed former French legionnaires and communications specialists in Benin to bolster border control along the Burkina Faso and Niger frontiers. Although official Beninese statements deny this, the program reportedly involves training, intelligence gathering, and logistical support.

Moreover, French veterans are reportedly employed by PMCs in other territories—including Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, the DRC, CAR, Guinea, and Somalia—assuming roles in combat, advisory, and operational support.

Concerns Within the French High Command

The increasing reliance on PMCs that employ French veterans raises several critical issues:

• Neo-Colonial Perceptions: These contractors’ risk being perceived as a “shadow French army,” which could further fuel anti-Western sentiments.
• Lack of Oversight: French law struggles to regulate or restrict its citizens from joining foreign military outfits, leaving accountability and command structures unclear.
• Reputational Risks: Allegations of misconduct by these private forces could tarnish the image of France’s official armed forces.

A Controversial Instrument of Influence

Some senior officials argue that PMCs enable France to maintain discreet leverage in Africa—potentially funded by EU or multilateral partners—without resorting to overt troop deployments. However, the absence of direct national control and operational transparency poses significant strategic and ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

The deployment of French veterans in foreign PMCs exposes a stark paradox: while France is officially reducing its military footprint in Africa, its former soldiers continue to operate as private contractors. This unregulated "shadow army" evades democratic oversight and dilutes state responsibility, undermining both official French policy and the reputation of its armed forces.

To realign its influence strategy with its values, France should consider establishing clear legal frameworks governing the participation of its citizens in private military companies or develop nationally regulated security providers. Such measures are essential to ensure that France’s role in Africa remains accountable, transparent, and strategically coherent.