French troops to leave Ivory Coast, official statement declares
France Withdraws Permanent Military Forces from West African Countries
In a significant shift in French-African military relations, France has completed the withdrawal of its permanent military forces from key West African countries, including Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Chad. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the region's military alliances and reflects a modernization of national defense capabilities.
Ivory Coast Emphasizes National Sovereignty
On February 20, 2025, France officially handed over its sole military base (Port-Bouët) in Ivory Coast, ending more than 50 years of presence. This transfer reflects Ivory Coast’s emphasis on national sovereignty and modernization of its armed forces, moving away from reliance on a foreign military presence.
Senegal Affirms National Sovereignty and Autonomous Defense Strategy
By mid-July 2025, France completed the withdrawal of about 350 troops from Senegal and formally handed back all military bases, including Camp Geille and an airport base near Dakar. Senegalese authorities, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and military chief General Mbaye Cissé, have insisted on ending permanent foreign military presence to assert national sovereignty and define a new defense strategy centered on autonomous national armed forces.
Chad Moves Towards Increased National Independence
Similarly, France has withdrawn troops from Chad and other West and Central African countries as part of this broader strategy. The government of Chad's decision to terminate a defense cooperation agreement with France indicates a trend toward increased national independence regarding security matters.
Motivations Behind the Withdrawals
The motivations behind these withdrawals include host countries' demands for sovereignty, changing geopolitical and security dynamics, French policy shifts under President Macron, and the rise of alternative security actors.
Regional Implications
The removal of French troops from Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Chad signals the end of “Françafrique”—the post-colonial French military and political influence network in Africa. This development is a significant step in the shifting dynamics of military alliances within the region, transitioning towards self-reliance in military affairs.
Ivory Coast's Approach to International Military Collaboration
This move in Ivory Coast is a pivotal moment in the country's approach to international military collaboration, given its status as the world's leading cocoa producer and its relatively high income level for its citizens compared to other West African nations.
Ongoing Changes in Military Presence
France has also withdrawn troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to military coups and rising anti-French sentiments. Similar trends can be seen in neighboring countries, such as Senegal's decision to close French military bases by the end of 2025.
Conclusion
The current status is that by mid-2025, France has fully withdrawn its permanent military presence from Senegal (completed in July), Ivory Coast (handed over in February), and Chad among others, driven largely by host countries’ rejection of permanent foreign troops and France’s strategic recalibration away from longstanding colonial-era military footholds in West Africa. The withdrawal of French troops from these countries is a significant step in the modernization of national defense capabilities and the assertion of national sovereignty within the region.
In the context of France's withdrawal of its permanent military forces from West African countries, discussions on policy-and-legislation, specifically regarding national defense and military alliances, have become a vital topic in the region's politics. The ongoing changes in military presence across West Africa, including Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Chad, are key general-news topics, as they signify a pivotal moment in the transition towards self-reliance in military affairs.
