Mali, Niger scrap two tax deals with France, part of campaign to de-westernize

Mali and Niger have announced they have nullified two historic tax treaties with France, noting that Paris’s hostility towards both West African nations is the reason for the move.
According to a joint statement published on Tuesday (5 December), the cancellation of the two treaties, which was meant to avoid double taxation and help in other tax matters, reflects the commitment of both West African nations to self-governance. The joint statement also cited “France’s persistent hostile attitude towards our states” and “the unbalanced nature of these agreements, which result in a considerable loss of revenue for Mali and Niger”. Therefore, the decision by both countries is widely seen as the latest act of defiance towards France since military forces seized power in both countries.
This latest move can be seen in the context of the efforts by the military governments in both countries who have for some time now been trying to de-westernize their administrations, and free their respective regions from any colonial influence. The tax accords with former colonial ruler France will end “within three months”, according to the military leaders in both countries, though the practical repercussions of the decision were not immediately clear. Both military administrations have also very recently touted the idea of forming a federation alongside Burkina Faso, another former French colony, which is also currently being ruled by a military junta. The three nation’s economy and finance ministers have reportedly met and advocated the formation of a stabilization fund, an investment bank, and a panel to study economic and monetary unification.