Your last explanation doesn't explain french mercenary diplomacy very well
And it makes a laughing stock out of the promoters, who ignore the kleptocracy that goes hand-in-hand with the so called 'decolonial' movements.
Everyone of the 'liberators' of the decolonial movement prove to be simple thieves and tyrants.
Teh decolonial movement is about the imposition of despots and mobsters over disorganized societies, with the consistent help of france, sadly enough.
Ed