Institutional transfer: a pillar of hegemony in the post-colonial era

Mis à jour le 21 May 2026

As 2026 dawns, the dynamics of power and influence have profoundly shifted in the post-colonial landscape. The memory of colonialism still subtly permeates governance structures, perpetuating a bittersweet domination that some call informal imperialism. A true legacy of a subtle yet tenacious institutional transfer, this new hegemony shapes political, economic, and cultural stability, often without the knowledge of the people concerned. The sophisticated manipulation of these structures is no longer simply a matter of classical colonialism; it embodies a stratification where indirect control becomes the dominant method for preserving the interests of former powers. The nascent resistance of several African nations, such as Madagascar and the Sahel countries, reflects a challenge to this insidious domination. These movements to reclaim their sovereignty highlight the tension between national expression and the post-colonial legacy, also revealing the critical role of local elites in perpetuating these mechanisms. The central question remains: how does this institutional transfer, born of a disguised colonialism, continue to ensure this hegemony despite formal decolonization?

The emergence of truncated independences: the substitution of imperialism by institutional transfer

The independence movements of 1960 in Africa, often perceived as narrative breaks toward sovereignty, actually conceal a subtle continuity in the form of an orchestrated institutional transfer. These processes were not acts of total liberation, but rather strategic transformations in which the former colonial power reoriented its levers of control. The establishment of strict cooperation agreements and quasi-institutional structures characterized this phase, allowing the former colonial power to maintain indirect influence. Through this tactic, the sovereignty supposedly acquired is limited to formal recognition, leaving the capacity for external influence intact.
One of the first measures was the creation of aligned or controlled institutions, such as the Franc Zone, which guarantees monetary and economic dependence. France, for example, has managed to convert its former colonies into subordinate partners, where the management of currency, military relations, and even education remains under well-disguised control. In Mali and Madagascar, this strategy has resulted in the presence of French military bases, influence over elite training, and a diplomatic presence structured around the continuity of French interests. The apparent decentralization masks a renewed domination, often described as a form of neocolonialism, which, in a more insidious but equally effective way, continues to hinder genuinely sovereign dialogue. The ability of local elites to align themselves or resist determines the extent of this control.

Discover the process of institutional transfer, an essential step to ensure continuity and effective resource management between different entities or institutions.

The triptych of hegemony: monetary, military, and cultural in the post-colonial era
The control exerted in the post-colonial space is structured around a three-pronged approach, shaping a pernicious and enduring hegemony. Each of its pillars—monetary, military, and cultural—ensures the continuity of institutional transfer and, by extension, of informal imperialism. The Franc Zone, a symbol of economic integration, rests on a fixed exchange rate with the euro and centralized reserve management, granting Paris significant economic influence. It guarantees monetary stability while preventing any genuine diversification or financial sovereignty in these countries. The military pillar, for its part, is represented by obsolete but active defense agreements, such as those of 1960, which grant France the right to intervene in times of crisis. The presence of strategic military bases, particularly in the Indian Ocean and West Africa, provides essential leverage for geopolitical influence. Sovereignty over territories like the Scattered Islands and the management of maritime space underscore this residual territorial control. Finally, the cultural dimension, fueled by the Francophonie and the French educational system, shapes a favorable perception of France. Dominating minds and minds thus becomes a weapon of soft power, allowing for the maintenance of ideological and political alignment. This three-pronged approach forges a hegemony that, while concealed behind rhetoric of cooperation, remains deeply entrenched, exacerbating legitimacy crises in these nations whose sovereignty has been weakened.

The active mechanisms of informal imperialism in the face of contemporary protest

In the current context, marked by a rise in pan-African demands and recurring political crises, informal imperialism is forced to transform itself. The protests of African peoples, armed with social networks and youth movements, challenge this soft but persistent domination. The revolt against economic and military tutelage is manifested in a series of resistance movements, such as those observed in Madagascar and Burkina Faso, where populations are demanding genuine sovereignty.
Recent coups d’état, particularly in the Sahel region, reflect this break with the governance inherited from the past. The questioning of the French military presence, a symbol of institutional transfer, marks a failure of this hegemony. The desire of these movements to reclaim their destiny is accompanied by a diversification of international actors—China, Russia, and new regional alliances—who are taking advantage of this crisis to extend their influence. The question remains: how can this informal control adapt to protect its interests in the face of legitimate demands for genuine sovereignty?
A repositioning strategy is being implemented through renewed cooperation agreements, massive funding, and territorial concessions, particularly concerning energy and geopolitical issues. The responsiveness of these mechanisms is essential for predicting stability at the regional and global levels, while also suggesting a future where protest could profoundly restructure the colonial legacy.

Geopolitical Stakes in the Challenge to Institutional Transfer Current demands denounce not only the opaque management of internal affairs but also the structural dependence imposed by institutional transfer. Competition between major powers forms a crucial backdrop, where France must contend with the rise of China and Russia in Africa. China, with its massive investments made without political conditions, is becoming a credible alternative to Western models, which jeopardizes the legacy of traditional colonial rule

explained in postcolonial studies

Partnerships in the Central African Republic

France Privileged cooperation, maintenance of basesMaintaining historical influence

Military presence in Djibouti

Incomplete decolonization: a legacy that weakens Madagascar

• Madagascar, the emblem of the former French Union, demonstrates how the institutional transfer has left a fragile legacy. Economic dependence, the presence of military bases, and monetary control continue to hinder genuine sovereignty. Crisis management in Madagascar, such as the water and energy crises, illustrates this vulnerability, where local governance struggles to break free from its former masters
• (see on water and electricity outages).
• The recurring demands of the population, united around the need to strengthen their autonomy, signal a radical questioning of the inherited model. The question remains: how can Madagascar overcome this precarious situation to build a new dynamic for development? The answer depends on its ability to sever ties with the post-colonial legacy and establish transparent and independent long-term governance.

List of challenges for a balanced and sovereign post-colonial future

🌍 Re-establish genuine economic sovereignty by reforming dependent monetary structures.

💪 Renew military cooperation to prioritize training and partnerships of equals.

📚 Promote an independent cultural identity by valuing local heritage and limiting foreign influence.