Senegal takes control of French military bases as troops begin pullout

On March 7, France initiated the transfer of military bases in Senegal as part of a broader troop withdrawal from the West African nation, where French forces have maintained a presence since Senegal’s independence in 1960.

This move follows France’s recent military pullbacks from other African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Ivory Coast, signalling a shift in its military strategy in the region.

According to the French embassy in Dakar, facilities and housing in the Marechal and Saint-Exupery districts of the capital have officially been handed over to Senegalese control, Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

Other facilities will be transferred at a later date, though no specific timeline has been provided.

Senegal, which gained independence from France in 1960, has remained one of France’s most steadfast allies in West Africa. However, following the election of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in 2024, the new government has pledged to treat France on equal terms with other foreign partners.

Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, has been vocal about the need for Senegal to assert its independence. In December, he stated, "Senegal is an independent, sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accommodate the presence of foreign military bases in a sovereign country." His government has announced that all foreign troops, including French forces, will depart Senegal by the end of 2025.

France’s pullout from Senegal is part of a wider reduction of its military presence across Africa, particularly in former colonies. French forces left their last base in Chad in January following the termination of military cooperation agreements between Paris and N'Djamena. In addition, the French presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has been dramatically reduced, with these nations leaning towards closer ties with Russia.

As part of this shift, France also handed over its military base in Ivory Coast at the end of February after nearly five decades of occupation. While reductions continue in countries like Gabon and Ivory Coast, the French military maintains a significant presence in Djibouti, where around 1,500 personnel are stationed. Paris intends to use Djibouti as a key "projection point" for missions in Africa following the withdrawal of its forces from the Sahel.

France and Senegal established a joint commission last month to facilitate the withdrawal process, aiming to return all French military sites by the end of this year. The commission met for the first time on February 28, and discussions are underway to overhaul the bilateral defense and security partnership between the two countries.

In addition, the French embassy confirmed that local staff working for the French military in Senegal, numbering 162, will be laid off by July 1. The French military has also offered "redeployment opportunities" for these workers through a career forum held on March 6, aimed at assisting those affected by the redundancies. Between 400 and 500 subcontracted workers in related industries are also expected to face job losses as the French military base handover continues.

By Tamilla Hasanova