(SenePlus) – Paris plans to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to a few hundred men, according to information obtained by AFP from three corroborating sources. This decision is part of the “renovated” and more discreet partnerships announced by Emmanuel Macron after the setbacks suffered in the Sahel.
According to the plan envisaged by the French executive, currently in discussion with African partners, the number of French forces “prepositioned” on military bases in West Africa will be drastically reduced. Only around a hundred soldiers would be maintained in Gabon, Senegal and Ivory Coast, and around 300 in Chad.
“Subject to a change of direction, the system should therefore have around 600 soldiers in the future, but will be expected to grow occasionally depending on the needs expressed by the partners,” explain AFP sources close to the case.
A historic decline for France
Only two years ago, the former colonial power had more than 5,000 soldiers deployed as part of the anti-jihadist operation Barkhane in the Sahel. But it was gradually pushed out by the juntas in power in Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey, to the benefit of Russia in particular.
“Chad is the last country in the Sahel to host French soldiers. But it is now surrounded by countries hosting Russian paramilitary forces,” underlines AFP.
Maintained logistical access
Emmanuel Macron instructed former minister Jean-Marie Bockel to discuss with African countries the new modalities of the French military presence. According to Mr. Bockel, quoted by AFP, “France today wants a less visible presence, but maintain logistical, human and material access to these countries.”
The French army plans to create a command dedicated to Africa this summer in Paris. In Ivory Coast and Senegal, a key ally, downsizing has already begun.
The new Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, critical of Paris, reaffirmed “Senegal’s desire to dispose of itself, incompatible with the lasting presence of foreign military bases”, while specifying that he would not call into question bilateral defense agreements. .
Limited future role of France
According to the French chief of staff, quoted by AFP, French bases in Africa “and their visibility have become difficult to manage.” The army could “share” its bases with other partners or hand them over.
The future tightened system should make it possible to “maintain relations” with local armies, “guarantee strategic access”, “collect intelligence” and “pursue operational partnership actions”, but no more combat missions.
French soldiers will essentially provide training and capabilities to requesting countries. Paris also intends to adopt a more flexible posture in terms of arms sales.
The French base in Djibouti, a strategic point of support facing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is not affected by this reduction.
