Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French troops from its territory, signaling a significant step in reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in West Africa.
In his year-end address, President Alassane Ouattara described the move as part of the modernization of Ivory Coast’s armed forces. This development aligns with broader regional trends as Senegal also confirmed the closure of French military bases on its soil, with a complete withdrawal expected by the end of 2025.
Ivory Coast hosts the largest remaining contingent of French troops in the region, with approximately 600 personnel, while Senegal houses around 350. “We have decided in a concerted manner to withdraw French forces from the Ivory Coast,” Ouattara stated, adding that the Port Bouét military infantry battalion would transition to Ivorian control.
This move follows France’s recent withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after military coups and rising anti-French sentiment in those nations. The government of Chad also terminated its defense pact with France in November, further diminishing France’s role in the region.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, elected on a platform of sovereignty and reduced foreign dependence, confirmed plans to end all foreign military presence in the country by 2025. “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for co-operation in defense and security,” Faye said.
France’s troop numbers in Africa have dwindled significantly, now concentrated in Gabon and Djibouti with fewer than 2,000 soldiers. The country has been recalibrating its strategy in Africa, shifting toward reduced permanent military ties while facing growing competition from Russia, which has deployed mercenaries to aid Sahel nations in combating jihadist insurgencies.
Ivory Coast, despite historical instability and a 2002 armed rebellion that split the nation, remains an economic powerhouse in the region. As the world’s largest cocoa exporter, it boasts a relatively high standard of living compared to its neighbors. The nation’s decision to end France’s military presence marks another step toward redefining its sovereignty and asserting control over its security.
