France has officially handed over its last military base in Ivory Coast, marking another step in the shrinking presence of the former colonial power in West Africa. The Port-Bouet military camp near Abidjan was formally transferred to Ivorian authorities in a ceremony attended by both French and Ivorian defense ministers. This decision follows President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement of the withdrawal of French troops, signaling a broader regional shift as former colonies reevaluate their security partnerships with France.
This development comes amid a growing trend across Francophone Africa, where nations are cutting back on military cooperation with France. In recent years, similar troop withdrawals have taken place in Senegal, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with some of these countries turning towards alternative security alliances, particularly with Russia. The influence of the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, has grown significantly in the Sahel, filling the security vacuum left by departing French forces.
Despite the withdrawal, Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara reassured that military collaboration with France would continue in the form of intelligence sharing, training, and counterterrorism efforts. This approach mirrors France’s revised strategy in the region, shifting from direct military deployment to advisory and logistical support.
France’s retreat from Africa is driven by multiple factors, including rising anti-French sentiment, accusations of neocolonialism, and the perception that its military interventions have failed to curb jihadist insurgencies. Many West African nations now seek greater sovereignty over their defense strategies, pushing for localized solutions rather than reliance on foreign troops.
With geopolitical dynamics shifting, the question remains: will France’s reduced footprint lead to long-term stability, or will new alliances reshape the continent’s security landscape?