The French army is asked to quickly leave Senegal and Chad. In these two countries, military cooperation with Paris will drastically decrease. The future of the French bases in Senegal remains unclear. The government and the country's army cannot come to an agreement.
The French army forced to withdraw from Senegal
In a context marked by growing geopolitical tensions in West Africa, the future of French bases in Senegal has become a subject of intense debate. The recent speech by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, sows doubt as to the sustainability of these installations, without however confirming their closure.
French bases in Senegal play a major strategic role. Historically, they symbolize close military cooperation between the two nations. This collaboration goes beyond the strict security framework, integrating the training of the Senegalese armed forces, exchanges of expertise, as well as valuable logistical and technical support. SAccording to several senior Senegalese officers, the closure of these bases would be a hard blow for the national army.
They underline the crucial contribution of the French army, particularly in terms of maritime surveillance. French planes, used for joint missions with the Directorate of Maritime Surveillance, make it possible to effectively fight against illegal fishing, a major economic issue for Senegal. These operations, carried out at France's expense, illustrate the importance of these bases.
A security, non-political decision
Furthermore, Senegalese military officials recall that the decision concerning the French bases is primarily a matter of security considerations. Unlike other countries in the region, such as Chad where the withdrawal of French forces is already underway, Senegal adopts a more measured posture.
According to Afrique Confidential, for these officers, the closure of the bases cannot be considered without a robust plan to fill the void left by the departure of French soldiers. It is not only the army that would benefit from this maintenance: the economic and social issues linked to the presence of bases are also crucial. Franco-Senegalese military cooperation is part of a broader framework, including indirect benefits for sectors such as maritime security and professional training. For the moment, the Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has not decided.
