Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has announced the planned withdrawal of French troops from the country, marking a significant shift in the West African nation’s military dynamics.
In his New Year address broadcast on national television, President Ouattara confirmed that the withdrawal would be “coordinated and organized,” starting this January. The decision aligns with efforts to modernize Ivory Coast’s armed forces, he explained.
The French naval infantry battalion stationed in Port Bouet will be handed over to Ivorian forces as part of this transition. Currently, around 600 French soldiers are based in Ivory Coast, one of several West African countries where France maintained a military presence following the end of colonial rule.
The move follows similar calls from other West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, urging France to withdraw its troops amidst growing regional tensions and debates over sovereignty. France’s involvement in the region has primarily focused on combating Islamist extremism.
With the withdrawal from Ivory Coast, French military bases in Africa will be reduced to those in Gabon and Djibouti. The announcement underscores a broader shift in France’s military strategy and its relationship with former colonies in Africa.
