The reorganization of France's military presence in Africa continues, marking a new era in relations between several African countries and the erstwhile colonial power.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced on Tuesday evening that the French military base in Abidjan, home to the 43rd BIMA (marine infantry battalion) in Port-Bouet, will be handed back to the Ivorian armed forces in January 2025.
This decision is in line with the policy of modernization and national sovereignty,” he said in his end-of-year address.
The camp will be renamed in honor of General Ouattara Thomas d'Aquin, the Ivorian army's first Chief of Staff.
This announcement comes at a time when France is reconfiguring its military presence in Africa, having been forced to leave Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Sahelian countries governed by juntas hostile to Paris.
More recently, Senegal and Chad have also announced the departure of French forces and a reorganization of their military collaboration. In December, a French base in Faya, northern Chad, was handed over.
Senegal: President announces “end of all foreign military presence in the country by 2025
Moreover, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye affirmed on Tuesday “the end of all foreign military presence in Senegal by 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 his commitments to break with the system of historical dependence.
Faye, an advocate of left-wing pan-Africanism, had announced back in November that France would have to close its military bases in Senegal.
He stressed that this reorganization does not rule out military cooperation but requires an updating of modalities and partnerships within an open and strategic framework.
“All of Senegal's friends will be treated as strategic partners,” he added.
With AFP
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