Approximately 350 French soldiers have left Senegal, marking the end of the departure process that began in March.
France officially handed over two remaining military bases in Senegal, leaving its former colonial power without a permanent presence in either West or Central Africa.
France returned to the airfield at the Dakar airport, Senegal’s largest base, and at the ceremony on Thursday, France’s top and Senegale officials were present.
Pullouts come after similar retreats across the continent, as they end the 65-year existence of French forces in Senegal and turn more and more against the nations once ruled by former colonies.
France’s withdrawal from Senegal is also due to the Sahel region facing growing conflict. Violence in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is threatening Guinea’s countries to the south.
Approximately 350 French soldiers, primarily tasked with joint operations with the Senegalese army, are now marking the end of the departure process, which began in March.
General Cisse said the handover was marked “an important turning point in both countries’ rich and long military journeys.”
France is “reforming its dynamic African partnership,” Ianni said. “We can turn through the pages of the military history of both countries. It is a very special relationship and an essential relationship for the country in the region.”
After winning with a promise of dramatic change in last year’s election, Senegale President Basilou Diomay Fey called for France to withdraw its soldiers by 2025.
However, unlike the leaders of other French colonies such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, run by military governments, Faye insists that Senegal will continue to work with Paris.
After gaining independence in 1960, Senegal became one of France’s most solid African allies, playing a host of the French army throughout its history.
Fay also urged France to apologise for colonial atrocities, including the December 1st, 1944 massacre.
As governments across Africa increasingly question the military presence of France, Paris closed or reduced the number of soldiers at previous Imperial bases.
In February, France pulled back the only remaining base in Ivory Coast, where it ended decades of France’s existence.
The previous month, France handed over the Kosei base in Chad, the last military foothold in the Sahel region.
From 2020 to 2023, the coups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali pushed strong military people into power. Their government collectively ousted 4,300 French soldiers. All three countries cut ties with France and instead relied on Russia to help them fight the Sahel decades of unrest.
The Central African Republic, a former French colony to which the Kremlin sent mercers, also called for France to withdraw.
Meanwhile, the French troops have transformed their Gabon base into a camp that shares its hosts in Central Africa.
After Thursday’s withdrawal, only a small horn in Djibouti, Africa, will be home to permanent bases at French Army Bases. France intends to build its base at its military headquarters in Africa, with around 1,500 people.
