French military era ends in West Africa as Senegal reclaims last base
France has formally ended its military presence in Senegal by transferring its last base to Senegalese authorities.
The base handover occurred during a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from both nations.
The retreat is part of France's broader reduction of military presence across West Africa.
The last post, Camp Geille in Ouakam, Dakar, was handed over to Senegalese administration in a solemn ceremony attended by Senegal's Chief of General Staff, General Mbaye Cisse, and Major General Pascal Ianni, head of the French military command in Africa.
This transfer came after a number of prior restitutions, including the Marechal and Saint-Exupery sites in March, the Contre-Amiral Protet installation in May, and the Rufisque military post in early July.
The exit was agreed upon by a Franco-Senegalese joint committee on May 16 and is consistent with the two nations' military cooperation pact from 2012.
France and Senegal began discussions in February 2025 to consider the exit, following similar withdrawals in other West African countries.
According to Euronews, this event coincides with the rise of anti-French sentiment in the region and signifies the end of France's military presence in West Africa.
France has been progressively diminishing its military presence in Africa, most notably retreating from the Sahel region of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger due to diplomatic issues and growing public resistance.
France's military exit in West Africa in recent years
France handed up its last military facility in Chad in January 2025, just as tensions between the two countries worsened.
Chad went on to accuse France of undermining its democracy, particularly in light of a January 8 attack on its presidential palace by a group of 24 people, which strained bilateral relations even more.
Chad's move comes barely a year after France's cessation of military cooperation with Gabon in September 2023, following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
The coup, led by military personnel who questioned Bongo's third term, installed General Brice Oligui Nguema as leader of the transitional government.
France, which had generally supported pro-Western regimes in Africa, promptly cut military ties with Gabon's new administration.
In 2022, Mali expelled France's ambassador, causing France to withdraw its troops and the Takuba force, thereby ending their military partnership.
France's 4,500-strong Operation Barkhane army withdrew from Mali in August 2022, while French forces left Burkina Faso in February 2023.
The 400-member Operation Sabre, which was sent in 2009 to combat armed organizations such as al-Qaeda in the region, discreetly withdrew after Burkina Faso's military-led government requested their leave in January, citing a four-week withdrawal deadline.
France's military departure from Senegal reflects a larger rethinking of France's position in its former colonies, where anger of neocolonial ties, security failings, and perceived intervention in internal matters has pushed governments and citizens to want complete autonomy.
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