Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in the region.
In an end-of-year address, Ivory Coast’s President, Alassane Ouattara, said the move was a reflection of the modernization of the country’s armed forces.
Separately, Senegal, which last month announced France would have to close its military bases on its territory, confirmed the withdrawal would be completed by the end of 2025.
Ivory Coast is home to the biggest remaining contingent of French troops in West Africa.
There are some 600 French military personnel in the country with 350 in Senegal.
“We have decided in a concerted manner to withdraw French forces from the Ivory Coast,” President Ouattara said.
He added that the military infantry battalion of Port Bouét that is run by the French army would be handed over to Ivorian troops.
France, whose colonial rule in West Africa ended in the 1960s, has already pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following military coups in those countries and growing anti-French sentiment.
The government of Chad – a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region – abruptly ended its defense cooperation pact with France in November.
Senegalese President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye said: “I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defense and security, involving, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025.”
