In a landmark decision affecting the military footprint of former colonial powers in West Africa, Ivory Coast has declared the withdrawal of French military troops from its soil, a move echoed by Senegal which has set a deadline for the closure of French military bases by the end of 2025. This announcement was made by Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara during his annual address, emphasizing the upgrading of the national defense capabilities as the rationale behind this strategic shift.
President Ouattara stated, “We have made a joint decision to remove French forces from Ivory Coast,” signaling the transition of the Port Bouét military base from French to Ivorian control. Around 600 French soldiers were stationed on the Ivory Coast, and 350 were stationed in Senegal, which marked a significant reduction in France’s military presence in the region.
The backdrop of this decision includes France’s recent military exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following political upheavals and rising local opposition against French influence. Similarly, Chad severed its military cooperation agreement with France in November, highlighting a trend of diminishing French military engagements in West Africa.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, who came to power in March promoting national sovereignty, has directed his armed forces minister to redefine defense and security cooperation, aiming for a complete removal of foreign military presence by 2025.
While France will still have a small contingent in Gabon, the broader strategy seems to be a deliberate scaling back of its military footprint in Africa. This comes at a time when countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are turning towards Russia for military support against insurgencies in the Sahel, with Russian mercenaries filling the void left by French troops.
Current estimates indicate that France now maintains less than 2,000 troops in Djibouti and Gabon, reflecting a strategic pivot from permanent military bases to a more reduced operational presence.
This shift in military alliances and presence signifies a broader reevaluation of France’s role in Africa, moving away from traditional military bases towards potentially more collaborative or advisory roles.
Ivory Coast, once a beacon of stability and economic prosperity known as Côte d’Ivoire, faced significant turmoil with a rebellion in 2002 that fragmented the country. Despite this, it continues to lead globally as the largest exporter of cocoa beans, maintaining a higher standard of living compared to many regional peers.
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