France withdraws from Senegal, ending its permanent military presence in West Africa
France has faced opposition from leaders of some of its former colonies in Africa over what they described as a demeaning and heavy-handed approach to the continent.
The French military handed over Camp Geille, its largest base in Senegal, along with a nearby air facility, to the Senegalese government during a ceremony in the capital, Dakar.
Gen. Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa, said the handover marked a new phase in military ties.
'It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory,' he said.
Senegal's military chief, Gen. Mbaye Cissé, said the withdrawal supports the country's new defense strategy.
'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, in Africa, and globally,' Gen. Cissé said.
The ceremony marked the completion of a three-month withdrawal of roughly 350 French troops from the West African country, which began in March.
France's military had been present in Senegal since it gained independence from France in 1960, under military cooperation agreements between the two countries.
The withdrawal followed a call by Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last year for all foreign troops to leave, citing Senegal's sovereignty as incompatible with hosting foreign bases.
Senegal's new government has taken a hard-line stance on the presence of French troops as part of a larger regional backlash against what many see as the legacy of an oppressive colonial empire.
France has said it is planning to sharply reduce its presence at all its bases in Africa except in the eastern African country of Djibouti. It said it would instead provide defense training or targeted military support, based on needs expressed by those countries.
France has suffered setbacks in West Africa recently, including in Chad and the Ivory Coast where it handed over its last military bases earlier this year.
They follow the ousting of French forces in recent years in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, where military-led governments have turned to Russia instead for military support.
Around 350 French servicemen are still present in Gabon, where the army has turned its base into a camp shared with the central African nation, in the Ivory Coast, where some 80 French servicemen advise and train the Ivorian military and in Djibouti, the last African country where France has a permanent military presence, with around 1,500 troops.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
West Africa's security woes no longer France's concern, minister says
By Tim Cocks JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The insecurity plaguing West Africa is no longer France's concern, its state minister for ties with Francophone countries and international partnerships said on Friday, a week after Paris handed over control of its last major military base in the region. Thani Mohamed-Soilihi was speaking to journalists in a phone briefing in South Africa, where he was attending the Group of 20 top economies' week of discussions on global development. "I'm sorry to say, but it no longer concerns us," Mohamed-Soilihi said, in answer to a Reuters question about the risk of insecurity posed by France's military absence. "That's a shame, because everyone can see the difference between (now and then)," he added. "But we are looking for other ways to maintain ties (that are) not necessarily military." In the past three years, France has gradually dismantled its once-substantial military presence in its African ex-colonies, where for decades it had beaten back jihadist militants, arrested armed criminals, rescued several presidents from armed rebellions - and, in earlier times, backed coups itself. Since 2022, France has pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, after military coups brought in leaders hostile to the French presence. Chad - a linchpin of the West's war against jihadists in the Sahel - abruptly ended its security cooperation pact with its former colonial master in November. More than a decade of insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and engendered economic collapse, with violence pushing further south towards West Africa's coast. The last two months have seen a surge in jihadist attacks, making them one of the deadliest periods of the Sahel's history. "We continue to deal with countries that so wish," Mohamed-Soilihi said. "But ... France won't be able to respond to the security problems of countries with which there is no longer a relationship." Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Benin names Spike Lee and wife ambassadors for African-Americans in the US
Benin has appointed renowned American filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, a seasoned producer and author, as its ambassadors for African-Americans in the US. The couple are expected to serve as "thematic" ambassadors, raising awareness and supporting initiatives to promote Benin's ties with people of African descent. The agreement was finalised during their visit to Cotonou, Benin's capital, last week, French public broadcaster RFI reports. The government says it will help reconnect "people of African descent around the world to their historical, cultural, and spiritual roots". The West African country has come up with several initiatives encouraging people of African descent to reclaim their heritage and pursue citizenship where eligible. Last year, the government passed a law offering nationality to people with an African ancestor who was taken from their homeland as part of the transatlantic slave trade. The appointment of the ambassadors follows the recent launch of a website where the descendants of enslaved Africans can apply for citizenship. RFI reports that Tonya Lewis Lee was among hundreds of people who applied and received a favourable response. Spike Lee has previously stated that DNA analysis traced his father's lineage to Cameroon, while his mother's roots were from Sierra Leone. His wife's specific country of ancestry has not been made public. Both have long been advocates for civil rights and social justice in the US in their works. Spike Lee's films are often based on African-American experiences and explore themes of race, identity, and justice. The Benin government said that "through their long-standing commitment to justice, their exceptional creativity, and their global reach", both have "profoundly shaped the contemporary narrative of the African diaspora". They have not publicly commented about their appointment. Benin's coastline is part of what was once known as the Slave Coast - a major departure point for enslaved Africans shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Between 1580 and 1727, the Kingdom of Whydah, a major slave-trading centre located on what is now Benin's coast, is estimated to have exported more than a million Africans to the US, the Caribbean and Brazil. You may also be interested in: Spike Lee's masterpiece about racism in the US Ulster Museum: Slave trade artefacts feature in new exhibition Watch: Thousands celebrate Benin's voodoo holiday Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Ghana to reduce licence durations and increase community investments
Ghana is poised to implement significant changes to its mining legislation, shortening mining licence periods and mandating direct revenue-sharing with local communities, reported Reuters. This marks the most extensive reform of the country's mining laws in nearly two decades, reflecting a broader trend in West Africa to gain more value from natural resources amid rising commodity prices. Under the proposed legislation, prospecting licences will have set durations, and the maximum term for mining leases will be reduced from 30 years to a period determined by the government and mining operators. Companies that fail to meet environmental, social or production obligations will no longer have the right to automatic licence renewal. A significant policy shift will see the abolition of development agreements that previously directed funds to the central government. Instead, mining companies will be obligated to allocate a fixed percentage of gross mineral sales revenue to finance local development projects. This move aims to address the grievances of communities that feel they have not benefitted sufficiently from mining activities. The reforms propose a three-tier mineral rights system, which includes a medium-scale licence category aimed at bridging the divide between large multinational operators and small-scale artisanal miners. Additionally, the government is considering reducing or eliminating stability agreements that offer tax and regulatory protection to large investors for up to 15 years. Future agreements would be limited to capital recovery periods for major investments. Lands and Natural Resources Minister of Ghana Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah announced that the reforms will apply only to future contracts. This approach differs from Mali and Burkina Faso, where governments have enforced reforms retroactively. 'In Ghana, we don't do retrospective laws,' Buah was quoted as saying. He assured stakeholders that existing agreements would be honoured. The minister revealed that the revision of the Minerals and Mining Act and mining policy was 85% complete after extensive consultations. Ghana, the leading gold producer in Africa, anticipates a rise in output to 5.1 million ounces this year. The country is home to major mining companies such as Newmont, Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti, and it also exports bauxite and manganese, with plans to commence lithium production. Furthermore, Ghana's gold sector has been affected by a substantial trade gap, leading to an estimated loss of $11bn due to smuggling, with most of the smuggled gold believed to be flowing into the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai. "Ghana to reduce licence durations and increase community investments" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
