Key points:
- France to withdraw troops from Côte d’Ivoire on February 20.
- Military base handover signals declining French influence in West Africa.
- Around 80 French troops will remain for training purposes.
FRANCE is set to officially hand over its only military base in Côte d’Ivoire on February 20, 2025, marking a significant reduction in French military influence in West Africa. This development was reported by RFI, highlighting a pivotal moment in France’s shifting military strategy across the region.
Official withdrawal of French troops
The 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA), stationed at the Port-Bouet base in Abidjan, will formally withdraw during an official ceremony attended by French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Ivorian Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara. The announcement follows Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara’s December declaration regarding the planned withdrawal.
According to RFI, sources from both French and Ivorian officials have confirmed the date, with Côte d’Ivoire fully prepared for the transition.
A broader shift in France’s West Africa strategy
This move comes as part of France’s broader ‘reorganisation’ of its military presence in West Africa. In recent years, French troops have been forced to exit countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to growing anti-French sentiment and military-led governments seeking to reduce foreign influence.
In November 2024, Senegal and Chad also announced the end of France’s military presence, signalling a regional trend towards reclaiming sovereignty over military affairs.
What happens next in Côte d’Ivoire?
While France will officially relinquish control of the Port-Bouet base, approximately 80 French troops will remain to assist with military training exercises, ensuring continued cooperation in defence matters.
The Port-Bouet base previously hosted around 1,000 French soldiers, primarily focused on counterterrorism operations against jihadist groups active in the Sahel region. Despite the withdrawal, Côte d’Ivoire remains a key strategic partner for France, given its economic significance as the world’s top cocoa producer and its wealth of natural resources, including oil, gas, and gold.
This military shift reflects France’s evolving role in West Africa, as former colonies seek greater autonomy in their security operations.
