Ivory Coast has declared that French troops will leave the country this month, ending a decades-long military presence and joining a growing list of African nations reducing military ties with their former colonial power.
In his year-end address to the nation, President Alassane Ouattara announced that the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion stationed at Port-Bouet in Abidjan would transition to the control of Ivory Coast’s armed forces by January 2025. “We take pride in the modernization of our army, which is now a reality. As such, we have chosen to implement a carefully planned and coordinated withdrawal of French troops,” Ouattara stated.
This move adds Ivory Coast to the growing list of West African nations cutting military ties with France, which ended its colonial rule in the region during the 1960s. Approximately 1,000 French soldiers are currently based in Ivory Coast, but the country now follows Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in expelling French forces.
In recent months, Senegal and Chad have also announced the departure of French soldiers. On December 26, France returned its last military base to Chad, marking a significant reduction in its presence in the Sahel.
Despite these changes, Ivory Coast remains a key ally of France. The troop withdrawal aligns with France’s evolving military strategy, which aims to reduce its permanent troop presence in Africa while addressing its waning political and military influence on the continent.
The shift reflects a broader regional trend. France has been expelled from more than 70% of African countries where it once maintained a military presence. Currently, its remaining deployments include 1,500 soldiers in Djibouti and 350 personnel in Gabon.
Analysts attribute these developments to growing local opposition to France’s role in Africa, particularly in countries that have experienced military coups. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have notably pivoted toward closer ties with Russia following the expulsion of French forces.
