The francophone West African countries are still politically immature. They are in the stage African anglophone countries were in the 70's. France babysitted these countries too long. In some cases an African president could not name cabinet minsiters before getting green light from France. Till today most of these countries have a milititary pact with France. France can intervene in domestic affairs of these countries before seeking permission from the sitting government.
Look at Cameroon where the president spends 10 months in a year in Switzerland or France.