Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French troops, marking a significant reduction in the military influence of the former colonial power in West Africa. President Alassane Ouattara revealed the decision in an end-of-year address, describing it as part of the country’s efforts to modernize its armed forces.
The move follows a broader regional trend, with neighboring Senegal also confirming that French forces will leave by the end of 2025. Senegal had previously called for the closure of French military bases on its soil.
Ivory Coast hosts the largest remaining French military presence in West Africa, with around 600 personnel stationed there. French troops have played a pivotal role in the region, particularly during the civil war from 2002-2007, when they helped protect civilians. The French-run military battalion in Port Bouët will be transferred to Ivorian control as part of the pullout.
This decision comes after France’s withdrawal from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where anti-French sentiment has surged following military coups. Additionally, Chad ended its defense cooperation agreement with France in November. France’s remaining forces in the region are now concentrated in Gabon and Djibouti.
In Senegal, President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, who took office in March, has promised to enhance national sovereignty and reduce foreign military presence, with the pullout scheduled for 2025.
The shifting landscape has seen military leaders in the Sahel region gravitate toward Russia, which has sent mercenaries to assist in combating jihadist insurgents. While France’s troop numbers in the region have dwindled, observers note that the country is recalibrating its military strategy in Africa, opting for reduced permanent deployments.
Once a beacon of stability and economic strength in West Africa, Ivory Coast faced division after a 2002 armed rebellion. Despite this, the nation remains the world’s leading exporter of cocoa beans, with its citizens enjoying relatively higher incomes compared to other West African countries.