The reorganization of the French military presence in Africa continues, marking a new era in relations between several African countries and France.
In Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara announced Tuesday evening that the French military base in Abidjan, housing the 43rd BIMA (marine infantry battalion) in Port-Bouet, will be handed over to the Ivorian armed forces from January 2025.
This decision is part of the policy of modernization and national sovereignty, he specified in his end-of-year speech. The camp will be renamed in honor of General Ouattara Thomas d’Aquin, first chief of staff of the Ivorian army.
This announcement comes as France reconfigures its military presence in Africa, after being forced to leave Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Sahelian countries governed by juntas hostile to Paris.
More recently, Senegal and Chad also announced the departure of French forces and a reorganization of their military collaborations. In December, a French base located in Faya, in northern Chad, was handed over.
At the same time, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye affirmed on Tuesday “the end of all military presences of foreign countries in Senegal, from 2025”. This declaration is part of a doctrine of national sovereignty and diversified cooperation, advocated by the head of state, elected in March and in office since April.
“Senegal is an independent country, and sovereignty does not accommodate the presence of foreign military bases,” he declared, recalling that this measure is part of its commitments to break with the system of historical dependence.
Mr. Faye, a supporter of left-wing Pan-Africanism, announced in November that France would have to close its military bases in Senegal.
He stressed that this reorganization does not exclude military cooperation, but requires an update of modalities and partnerships, within an open and strategic framework.
“All friends of Senegal will be treated as strategic partners,” he added.
With AFP
