Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the country by January 2025, marking the end of a decadeslong military presence. President Alassane Ouattara confirmed that the Port Bouét infantry battalion currently run by French forces will be handed over to Ivorian troops. Approximately 600 French troops are stationed in Ivory Coast, one of the last strongholds of French military presence in West Africa.
This decision aligns with similar moves across the region, where several nations have reduced or ended military ties with France. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Chad have all recently asked French troops to leave. Analysts attribute these developments to a broader reconfiguration of West Africa’s relationship with its former colonial power. France has faced challenges maintaining its influence and has outlined a new strategy to downscale its permanent troop presence in Africa.
Meanwhile, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have strengthened ties with Russia, utilizing Russian mercenaries despite widespread allegations of civilian abuses. However, the security situation in these nations has deteriorated, with escalating extremist attacks and civilian casualties highlighting the complexity of the region’s shifting alliances and strategies.
