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.
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.