SENEGAL’S President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to end the long-standing presence of French troops in the country, marking a significant shift in the nation’s foreign policy. In an interview with French daily Le Monde, Faye declared, ‘There will soon be no more French soldiers in Senegal,’ underscoring his commitment to asserting Senegal’s sovereignty.
The French military has maintained a presence in Senegal since the country gained independence from France in 1960. Originally stationed for regional security and training purposes, there are currently around 350 French soldiers in the country. Faye’s statement, however, represents the first official call for their departure, following growing concerns over foreign military presence in the region.
The issue of French troops in Senegal has been a point of contention for some time. In May 2024, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko questioned their continued presence, asserting that they were no longer necessary in a fully sovereign nation. This shift comes as Faye plans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, a tragic event in which French forces killed hundreds of African soldiers in 1944 for protesting their pay.
Faye also revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron had acknowledged the massacre in a letter, describing it as ‘indeed a massacre.’ However, the Senegalese president insisted that recognition alone was not enough, emphasising the need for full collaboration to uncover the complete truth of the events.
In a separate interview with French broadcaster France 2, Faye questioned the logic of maintaining foreign military bases in sovereign nations. He drew a powerful analogy, stating, ‘As French people, would you accept seeing foreign troops with military vehicles in your country? I don’t think so,’ referring to the historical context of French colonisation in Africa. He continued, ‘Sovereignty does not accommodate the presence of foreign military bases.’
Faye’s remarks are part of a wider regional trend. Chad recently ended a defence agreement with France, and countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French troops in favour of reorienting their security partnerships. This shift has been particularly noticeable within the Sahel region, where many countries have been reevaluating their relationships with France in the face of increasing anti-French sentiment.
The growing movement in West and Central Africa reflects a broader desire to reclaim autonomy and redefine alliances based on national interests. Faye’s decision to end the French military presence in Senegal signals a broader regional push for greater self-determination in matters of national security and foreign influence.
As Senegal takes this bold step, the question remains whether other African nations will follow suit, further challenging the presence of foreign military forces across the continent.
