Beginning from this January, Cote d’Ivoire will no longer entertain French troops in its territory, following in the footsteps of Francophone countries like Senegal and Chad, who had taken similar decisions.
Speaking in an end-of-year address, President Alassane Ouattara announced that the withdrawal would start in January, ending a military presence that has lasted for decades.
“We can be proud of our army, whose modernization is now effective. It is in this context that we have decided on the concerted and organised withdrawal of French forces
“We have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces in,” Ouattara said.
He added that the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion at Port-Bouet in Abidjan — where French troops are currently stationed — “will be handed over” to Ivory Coast’s armed forces as of January 2025.
France has been forced to pull out of a number of West African nations — including from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the last two years — following military coups and a rising anti-French sentiment.
Some countries have since sought closer relations with China and Russia.
Most recently, Senegal and Chad asked French troops to leave. Chad has been a key ally for France in its fight against Islamist militants, serving as its last foothold in the Sahel region.
French troops are now only present in Djibouti and Gabon.
