France ends permanent military presence in West Africa

The French army has completed its withdrawal from Senegal after its presence was deemed incompatible with national sovereignty

France has withdrawn troops from its last two military bases in Senegal, bringing an end to more than 60 years of presence in the West African nation. The move comes amid a wider push by former colonies to sever military ties with Paris and assert full security sovereignty.

On Thursday, the French army handed over Camp Geille – its largest base in Senegal – and an airfield at Dakar airport to Senegalese authorities during a ceremony attended by senior officials from both countries. The event marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of approximately 350 French troops.

The French Armed Forces General Staff said the handover of facilities and the dissolution of the French Elements of Senegal (EFS) reaffirmed Paris and its former colony’s desire to “continue their defense partnership in a renewed format.”

“It is part of France’s decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities’ desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,” General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa, also said, according to AP.

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The pullout from Senegal marks the end of France’s permanent military presence in West Africa, following earlier expulsions from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Transitional authorities in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou have accused Paris of sponsoring terrorism in the Sahel region under the guise of countering jihadist insurgents. Chad also terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France last year. In February, France transferred the Port-Bouet military camp – its only army base in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – to the West African nation’s authorities.

READ MORE: France returns military base to Senegal

In November, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April 2024, announced his decision to fully remove the French military presence from the country, stating that Senegal’s sovereignty is incompatible with hosting foreign bases.

Senegalese military chief General Mbaye Cisse said in a speech during the handing over ceremony on Thursday that the primary goal of the withdrawal “is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally.”