The government of Ivory Coast has declared that French troops will be pulling out from the West African country, marking a significant decrease in the military presence of the former colonial power in the area.
In a recent end-of-year address, President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast highlighted that the decision represents a significant step towards modernizing the nation’s armed forces.
Senegal has confirmed that the withdrawal of French military bases from its territory will be completed by the end of 2025. This announcement follows last month’s declaration that France must close its bases in the country.
Ivory Coast hosts the most significant remaining presence of French military forces in West Africa.
Approximately 600 French military personnel are stationed there, with 350 in Senegal.
“In a unified decision, President Ouattara announced the withdrawal of French forces from the Ivory Coast.”
According to his statement, the military infantry battalion located in Port Bouét, currently operated by the French army, is set to be transferred to Ivorian forces.
France, which concluded its colonial governance in West Africa during the 1960s, has withdrawn its military personnel from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in response to recent military coups and an increasing wave of anti-French sentiment in the region.
In a surprising move, the government of Chad, recognized as a crucial Western partner in combating Islamic militants in the region, terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France in November.
Senegalese President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye announced a significant shift in the country’s defense policy, stating, “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defence and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025.”
In March, Faye secured election victory with a commitment to restore sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign nations.
France is set to maintain a limited presence in Gabon.
The military leadership in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has strengthened ties with Russia following the expulsion of French forces from their nations.
Russia subsequently sent mercenaries to the Sahel region to assist in combating jihadist insurgents.
Recent reports suggest that France’s military presence in Djibouti and Gabon has dwindled to fewer than 2,000 troops.
Analysts suggest France actively seeks to restore its diminishing political and military clout in Africa.
The previous political authority seems to be formulating a revised military approach focused on diminishing military connections, which could significantly decrease its permanent troop presence on the continent.
For over thirty years following its liberation from French colonial rule, Ivory Coast, or Côte d’Ivoire as it is referred to in French, gained a reputation for its religious and ethnic unity, alongside a robust economy.
The Western African nation received accolades for its exemplary stability. An armed rebellion in 2002 resulted in a division of the country. As the nation navigated its path toward a political resolution of the conflict, peace deals were frequently overshadowed by a resurgence of violence.
Ivory Coast stands as the world’s leading exporter of cocoa beans, a remarkable achievement amid ongoing instability. The nation’s citizens benefit from a relatively high income level compared to their counterparts in the surrounding region.