Côte d’Ivoire Announces Withdrawal of French Forces, Set for January Departure
Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed that French forces stationed in the country will begin their withdrawal starting January 2025. This move marks another significant shift in military relations between African nations and France, as the West African country joins a growing list of nations redefining ties with the former colonial power.
French Troops to Hand Over Abidjan Base
Speaking during a national broadcast on Tuesday, President Ouattara announced the decision to transfer the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA) base in Port-Bouët, Abidjan, to Côte d’Ivoire’s armed forces.
“We can be proud of our army, whose modernization is now effective,” Ouattara stated. “It is in this context that we have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast.”
The move will see about 1,000 French soldiers, who have been assisting with counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region and parts of the Gulf of Guinea, leave the country.
A Broader African Trend
Côte d’Ivoire’s decision follows similar announcements by Senegal and Chad, which declared the departure of French troops from their territories last month. France also returned a military base to Chad on December 26, marking the latest in its phased withdrawal from African nations that have sought to distance themselves from French military presence.
This comes amid the forced departures of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years, as governments critical of France’s influence rise to power across the continent.
Presidential Elections Promised to Be Peaceful
As Côte d’Ivoire transitions away from hosting French forces, President Ouattara also emphasized his commitment to ensuring a peaceful and democratic presidential election scheduled for October 2025.
“The upcoming elections will be peaceful, transparent, and democratic,” he assured citizens during his address.
A New Chapter in Regional Security
The withdrawal of French forces signifies a shift in Côte d’Ivoire’s approach to national and regional security. While France has historically supported counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, Ouattara’s remarks highlighted confidence in the country’s armed forces to take charge of security operations.
Observers note that this development underscores a broader trend of African nations asserting greater autonomy in military and political affairs, marking a new chapter in post-colonial relations with France.