Ivory Coast has declared that French troops will withdraw from the country, signaling a significant reduction in France’s military presence in West Africa. President Alassane Ouattara made the announcement during his end-of-year address, attributing the decision to the ongoing modernization of the Ivorian armed forces.
The withdrawal includes the military infantry battalion of Port Bouët, currently operated by French forces, which will be handed over to Ivorian troops. The move affects approximately 600 French military personnel stationed in Ivory Coast, which hosts the largest contingent of French troops in West Africa.
This development comes as Senegal, another former French colony, also confirmed plans for the withdrawal of French forces by the end of 2025. Senegalese President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye emphasized a shift toward sovereignty and self-reliance in defense and security matters, aligning with his campaign promise to end foreign military presences.
The reduction in French military presence across the region follows a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where anti-French sentiment has grown. France has already pulled its forces out of these countries, and Chad terminated its defense cooperation with France in November.
France’s diminishing influence in West Africa coincides with increased cooperation between some regional military leaders and Russia. Russian mercenaries have reportedly been deployed across the Sahel to support local governments in combating jihadist insurgencies.
Currently, France maintains fewer than 2,000 troops in Africa, primarily stationed in Djibouti and Gabon. Political analysts view the gradual withdrawal as part of France’s evolving military strategy, aimed at downscaling its permanent troop presence while rethinking its role on the continent.
Ivory Coast, once considered a model of stability in West Africa, endured a civil war from 2002 to 2007 that split the nation. Despite this period of instability, the country remains the world’s largest exporter of cocoa beans and boasts a relatively high standard of living compared to its neighbors.
The withdrawal of French troops marks a pivotal moment in Ivory Coast’s post-independence history, as the nation redefines its military capabilities and asserts greater sovereignty.