SAHEL REGION IN FRENCH POSTCOLONIAL DISCOURSE: MACRON'S PRODUCTION OF SPACE AND SECURITY RHETORIC

Authors

Azzahrah F. A Putri, French Studies, Universitas IndonesiaFollow
Abellia Anggi Wardani Dr., French Studies, Universitas IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Between the Sahara Desert and the Sudanese Savannah, the Sahel region has become a contested geopolitical space. This study analyses how France is reconstructing its hegemony following its military withdrawal through the rhetoric of Emmanuel Macron (2021 and 2025). Using Critical Discourse Analysis (Fairclough, 1995) and the theory of spatial production (Lefebvre, 1974), this study examines how the discourses of “partnership” and “security” are employed to maintain French influence. Qualitative methods were applied to Macron's speeches, French media, and statements by former presidents of Sahel countries. The results show that France is redefining the Sahel as a ‘crisis zone’ requiring external management, through a shift in the military's role into the economic and symbolic spheres. Even with a diminished military footprint, France’s hegemony continues to be articulated through discourse. Thus, it demonstrates how discursive strategies uphold neocolonial power after physical disengagement. This study contributes to postcolonial and geopolitical studies by showing that hegemony can be maintained through discursive strategy, even after the decrease in physical presence.

Bahasa Abstract

Di antara Gurun Sahara dan Sabana Sudan, kawasan Sahel telah menjadi ruang geopolitik yang diperebutkan. Penelitian ini menganalisis bagaimana Prancis merekonstruksi hegemoni pascapenarikan militernya melalui retorika Emmanuel Macron (2021 dan 2025). Dengan menggunakan Analisis Wacana Kritis (Fairclough, 1995) dan teori produksi ruang (Lefebvre, 1974), studi ini mengkaji bagaimana wacana "kemitraan" dan "keamanan" digunakan untuk mempertahankan pengaruh Prancis. Metode kualitatif diterapkan pada pidato Macron, media Prancis, dan pernyataan mantan presiden negara-negara Sahel. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa Prancis mendefinisikan ulang Sahel sebagai ‘zona krisis’ yang memerlukan pengelolaan eksternal, melalui pergeseran peran militer ke ranah ekonomi dan simbolis. Meski kehadiran militer berkurang, hegemoni Prancis terus diartikulasikan melalui wacana. Dengan demikian, studi ini menunjukkan bagaimana strategi wacana mempertahankan kekuatan neokolonial pasca-disengagem fisik. Kontribusi studi ini terhadap kajian pascakolonial dan geopolitik adalah dengan menunjukkan bahwa hegemoni dapat dipertahankan melalui strategi wacana, bahkan setelah kehadiran fisik berkurang.

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Recommended Citation

Putri, Azzahrah F. A and Wardani, Abellia Anggi Dr. (2026) "SAHEL REGION IN FRENCH POSTCOLONIAL DISCOURSE: MACRON'S PRODUCTION OF SPACE AND SECURITY RHETORIC," International Review of Humanities Studies: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 14.
DOI: 10.7454/irhs.v11i1.1422
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/irhs/vol11/iss1/14