On Thursday, Ivory Coast officially took control of Port-Bouët, the last remaining French military base in the country, in a formal handover ceremony that marked the transfer of security responsibilities from France to the Ivorian army. The event included a symbolic changing of the guard, underscoring the shift in military dynamics between the two nations.
France, which has had a military presence in Ivory Coast for decades, is gradually scaling back its forces in West Africa as part of a broader trend of reducing its military footprint across the region. This shift follows rising calls from several West African countries for French troops to leave, and comes amid growing anti-French sentiment in parts of the continent.
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized that while France is reducing its presence, it is not leaving the region entirely. “France is transforming its presence; France is not disappearing,” he said. About 1,000 French soldiers had been stationed at the Port-Bouët base, where they played a key role in the fight against jihadist insurgents who regularly launch attacks across the Sahel and West Africa. The French military’s withdrawal will be gradual, with the full pullout set to occur over the course of 2025.
However, France will maintain a smaller presence in the country, with approximately 80 French servicemen staying on to advise and train the Ivorian military in a supporting role. This continued collaboration will be underpinned by new military cooperation agreements signed at the ceremony, emphasizing that despite the change, the relationship between France and Ivory Coast remains strong.
Ivorian Defense Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara hailed the handover as a “new era” in the bilateral relationship. He also announced that the Port-Bouët base would be renamed in honor of Ivory Coast’s first Chief of Staff, the late General Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara. The move signifies a strengthening of Ivory Coast’s sovereignty and military capabilities, which have been bolstered by France’s support over the years.
The withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast follows a similar trend seen across West Africa, where French military forces have been expelled from several countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. In particular, Chad, once considered France’s most stable and loyal partner in the region, has also requested French forces to depart.
This regional shift reflects broader geopolitical changes in West Africa, where governments are increasingly seeking autonomy from former colonial powers. As part of this transformation, France is working to redefine its military and political strategy in Africa, aiming to strengthen partnerships with new allies while adjusting to the changing dynamics of the region.
The handover ceremony in Ivory Coast, while marking the end of an era, also signals ongoing cooperation between France and Ivory Coast, with both nations committed to tackling regional security challenges together despite the evolving landscape of military engagement in West Africa.
