Red flags: There is more than meets the eye in West Africa coups d'tat

Residents of Niger's capital, Niamey, gather to protest the coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum. [Niger Presidential Office Facebook]

France is having problems with its former colonies in Africa. The troubles are historic but have taken an unexpected twist in the recent past. The former colonies, francophone countries, mostly in West Africa are up in arms over what they call interference by Paris on domestic matters.

France in turn has pushed back, saying its intentions are good and acceded to some demands. According to the French, the countries no longer deposit with the Banque de Paris, the French central bank. They took control of their currency, which for the eight states has been the French Franc or CFA Franc. All these have been done through diplomacy.