Senegal announces closure of all foreign military bases, targeting French troops

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko declared on December 27 that the government is closing "all foreign military bases," a move primarily directed at French forces stationed in the country.

Although Sonko did not explicitly mention French troops, Senegal is home to no other foreign military bases.

This decision is part of a broader trend in West Africa, where French military presence has faced increasing opposition in recent years, particularly in countries like Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where French forces were expelled after years of deployment, Caliber.Az reports citing US media.

Sonko’s announcement came during a policy speech to the National Assembly, though he did not specify a timeline for the withdrawal of French troops. The statement follows remarks from Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye made a month earlier, in which he stated that French soldiers would soon leave Senegal.

“The President of the Republic has decided to close all foreign military bases in the very near future,” Sonko confirmed.

France, a former colonial power in much of Africa, has faced growing opposition from African leaders who criticise its ongoing influence and what they perceive as a condescending approach to the continent. In addition to withdrawing from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, France also confirmed on December 26 the handover of its military bases in Chad, citing a shift in strategic interests.

The French military stated that its permanent presence in Chad no longer met the expectations of both parties, framing the pullout as part of a broader "reconfiguration" of its military presence in Africa since 2022.

Earlier, France had announced plans to significantly reduce its military footprint across Africa, maintaining only a small presence in Djibouti. This includes withdrawing 350 French troops stationed in Senegal, with a shift towards offering defence training or focused military assistance based on the needs of individual countries.

Senegal’s new government, which has been in power for less than a year, is taking a firm stance on the issue of French military presence, aligning with a growing regional sentiment against what is viewed as the lingering influence of a colonial past.

By Tamilla Hasanova