France Ends Military Presence in Senegal, Marking Final Exit from West Africa

France has officially completed the withdrawal of its troops from Senegal, ending its last permanent military presence in West Africa. The move comes amid growing regional opposition to foreign military bases and calls for greater sovereignty across former French colonies.

During a handover ceremony in Dakar on Thursday, French forces transferred control of Camp Geille—their largest military base in Senegal—and a nearby air facility to the Senegalese government. The event marked the conclusion of a three-month withdrawal involving approximately 350 troops.

French General Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, described the pullout as part of a broader policy shift. “This is in line with France’s decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa and reflects Senegal’s wish to no longer host foreign forces on its territory,” he said.

Senegal’s military chief, General Mbaye Cissé, welcomed the withdrawal, saying it aligned with the country’s new defence priorities. “The goal is to strengthen the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces and contribute to peace in Africa and beyond,” he said.

French troops had been stationed in Senegal since its independence in 1960 under longstanding defence agreements. However, the new government led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has adopted a firm stance against foreign military presence, echoing a wider anti-colonial sentiment sweeping the region.

“Senegal is a sovereign country. Sovereignty does not accommodate foreign military bases,” Faye said last year while calling for the removal of all foreign troops.

France has also pulled out of other West African countries in recent years, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Ivory Coast, amid deteriorating relations and the rise of military-led governments turning to Russia for security cooperation.

France retains only limited troop deployments elsewhere on the continent—about 350 personnel in Gabon and 80 in Ivory Coast. Djibouti remains the only African country where France still maintains a full permanent base, hosting around 1,500 troops.

The shift marks a turning point in France’s post-colonial military strategy in Africa, replacing permanent deployments with more flexible, training-focused partnerships based on the needs of host nations.