The French military base in Abidjan will be handed over to Ivory Coast in January, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announced Tuesday evening in his New Year’s message.
President Ouattara stressed that this withdrawal will be carried out in a “concerted and organized” manner.
“We have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in Ivory Coast,” declared Mr. Ouattara, specifying that the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion of Abidjan (BIMA) stationed in Port-Bouët would be “returned to the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire from January 2025.
He indicated that the 43rd BIMA, which has been installed in Côte d’Ivoire since 1978 under defense agreements signed with France, would be named “Camp Ouattara Thomas d’Aquin”, named after the first chief of staff. of the Ivorian army.
The French military presence in Ivory Coast is estimated at around 900 men.
On the other hand, President Ouattara affirmed that the presidential election scheduled for 2025 in the country will be peaceful, transparent and democratic.
“I would like to assure everyone and all of our partners that the election will be peaceful. It will be transparent and it will be democratic,” said President Ouattara.
According to Mr. Ouattara, this election will once again be an opportunity to confirm the political maturity of fellow citizens, the strength of institutions and the rooting of democracy in Côte d’Ivoire.
With MAP
Morocco
