WI : Different West Africa before colonial rule ?

Had the Sahel only seen political break down towards the 19th century, instead of just about rebuilding from anarchy, how would European(French) colonization have fared there ?

Like in Asia, yes. Meaning, they'll have an elite and stronger native structure that they'll have to accomodate. Does it mean we'll see a similar arrangement with Indochina ? Or in fact, will we have to expect something closer to India, with whatever successor states left by the previous empire be made into princely states ? Either way, with a much more recent memory of being united under a single power, there's no stopping West Africa from developing a common framework in resistance against colonial rule.
 
I wouldn't characterize the Sahel as rebuilding from anarchy so much as losing its ability to consolidate. I mean, you had Sokoto, Kanem, the Toucoleur and a number of smaller states, some of which weren't fully colonized until the 20th century. The problem is Western technology and the ability of Westerners to prey on internal division.

Honestly, the Sahel was never going to be like India, where you had much less disparity in technology and much stronger native structures. Even if the Fulani Jihads take place 50 to 100 years earlier, who is to say that the West won't pry the state apart with factions when they roll into town. Like they did in India, mind, but with a much weaker bedrock for native structures to rest upon. That being said, native structures have, in part due to colonial cooperation, survived much better in Africa- how many petty kings still have official or unofficial roles in their states, as opposed to India?

If you want French colonization to fail, I recommend either butterflying away El Hadj Umar Tall, so that the many smaller states can each stay strong as opposed to being tied to a central structure, or fuck up France's internal cohesion (not too hard considering its a French republic you are dealing with).

Or butterfly Usman dan Fodio altogether. A stronger Malian and stronger Kanemi state, separated (because the Sahel is fucking huge) might be better at resisting France, even if they have to deal with smaller vassal states that can be meddled with.
 
I don't think the comparison with Indochine is good here for a very simple reason: distance.
Indochine is very far away from continental France, it's hard to send troups and colonists and was threatened by other sphere of influences.

Africa is way closer. So if somebody gives you trouble, send more cannons. Plus, collaboration with local elites didn't really come into fashion for full colonisation until the late XIXth century in France (do correct me if I'm wrong though :) )
 
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