France to reduce military footprint in West Africa as Ivory Coast moves towards self-sufficiency

Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, marking another step in the reduction of France's military footprint in the region.

"We have decided in a concerted manner to withdraw French forces from the Ivory Coast,"  Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara declared in his end-of-year address, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He emphasized that the decision reflects the ongoing modernization of the Ivorian armed forces. Ouattara further noted that the French-run military infantry battalion in Port Bouét would be handed over to Ivorian troops.

This move comes amid a broader trend of diminishing French military presence in West Africa. Senegal, which announced last month that France must close its military bases on its territory, confirmed the withdrawal will be completed by the end of 2025. Senegalese President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye stated, "I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for co-operation in defence and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025." Faye, elected in March, campaigned on a platform of delivering sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign powers.

Ivory Coast currently hosts the largest remaining contingent of French troops in West Africa, with approximately 600 personnel stationed there and another 350 in Senegal.

France, whose colonial rule in West Africa ended in the 1960s, has already pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups and increasing anti-French sentiment in those countries. The government of Chad, a key Western ally in combating Islamic militancy, also terminated its defence cooperation agreement with France in November.

While France will retain a small military presence in Gabon, the shift reflects broader geopolitical changes. Military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have strengthened ties with Russia after expelling French forces. Russia has since deployed mercenaries across the Sahel to assist these nations in fighting jihadist insurgents.

Political analysts suggest that France is adopting a new strategy of scaling down its permanent troop presence in Africa while seeking to maintain influence through alternative means. Estimates indicate that France now has fewer than 2,000 troops stationed in Djibouti and Gabon.

Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, was once celebrated for its religious and ethnic harmony as well as its thriving economy. For over three decades after gaining independence from France, the country was regarded as a model of stability. However, an armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation, leading to intermittent peace deals and renewed violence. Over time, Ivory Coast has gradually moved toward a political resolution.

Despite periods of instability, Ivory Coast remains the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans. Its economy continues to provide a relatively high standard of living compared to other countries in the region.

The withdrawal of French troops marks a significant turning point for Ivory Coast as it seeks greater autonomy in defense and security, reflecting a broader shift across West Africa toward sovereignty and reduced foreign influence.

By Tamilla Hasanova