Exit, which ends 65 years of presence of France troops in the country, occurs after similar measures throughout the continent, where former colonies have increasingly departed from Paris
In a solemn ceremony, the He handed his aerodrome and his last bases to Senegalese authorities on Thursday (17), thus ending his permanent military presence in West and Central Africa. The withdrawal, which ends 65 years of presence of the French army in the It occurs after similar measures throughout the continent, where former colonies have moved away from Paris. About 350 French soldiers, mainly in charge of joint operations with the Senegalese army, left West Africa after a withdrawal process started in March. The delivery ceremony began on the morning of Thursday in Dacar, capital of Senegal. Senegal Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Mbaye Cissé, and General Pascal Ianni, head of the French Army Command in Africa, organized a symbolic delivery of the “Camp Geille” keys, the largest French military facility in Senegal.
Hostile military joints
After its independence in 1960, Senegal became one of France’s most faithful African allies, welcoming French troops throughout its history. But when Diomaye Faye took over the presidency in 2024, he demanded that France remove its troops from the country until 2025 and, during its election campaign, assured that it would treat France as another ally. The African leader stressed that his country will continue to cooperate with Paris, a way to distance himself from other former colonies, such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, who are governed by military councils and ceased this collaboration.
Faye also urged Paris to apologize for the colonial atrocities, including the African troop massacre on December 1, 1944, while fighting for France in World War II. Faced with the growing criticism of his military presence by African governments, Paris closed or reduced his foundations on the continent. In February, he returned the base of Kossi, in Chad, his last military stronghold in the conflicting region of Sahel.
Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali blows between 2020 and 2023 brought military personnel to power. They all broke relations with France and resorted to Russia to combat the jihadist insurgency that plagued the Sahel a decade ago. The Central African Republic, former French colony to which Kremlin sent mercenaries, also demanded the withdrawal of Paris. Only Djibuti, a small nation in Africa’s horn, will house a permanent French military base with about 1,500 military personnel, which France intends to use as a military headquarters for Africa.
*With information from AFP
