ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – On Thursday, Ivory Coast officially assumed control of the last French military base within its borders, coinciding with the exit of many French troops from various West African nations. As part of this transition, approximately 80 French personnel will remain in Ivory Coast, tasked with advisory and training roles for the Ivorian military, as noted by the French Minister of the Armed Forces during a press briefing alongside Téné Birahima Ouattara, Ivorian defense and state minister.

Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces, highlighted the necessity for evolving the defense relationship between France and Ivory Coast to better align with contemporary security challenges. “The world is changing and changing fast. It’s clear that our defense relationship also had to evolve and be based more on future prospects in the face of the realities of threats and those of a world that has become complex in terms of security, and not on a defense relationship inspired by the past,” he expressed. He also reassured that while France is adjusting its military presence, it is not withdrawing entirely from the region.

This development is part of an ongoing trend, as other West African leaders have made similar requests for French troops to exit their territories. Analysts indicate that this movement reflects a significant shift in the region’s dynamics with France, especially amid rising anti-French sentiments stemming from recent coups in several countries. Long-standing French military deployments have faced increasing rejection, with troops recently being expelled from nations including Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Chad, once viewed as some of France’s most dependable partners in Africa.

As France pulls out, it has been requested to leave over 70% of the African nations where it maintained a military presence following the end of colonial rule. Currently, French forces remain stationed only in Djibouti with a contingent of 1,500 soldiers, and in Gabon, where 350 troops are stationed.

In the aftermath of expelling French militaries, the military leadership in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has sought closer ties with Russia, which has positioned mercenaries throughout the Sahel region, despite accusations of human rights abuses against civilians. Nevertheless, the security landscape in these countries has deteriorated, marked by a rising tide of extremist attacks and increasing civilian casualties resulting from both militant groups and government actions.

In response to these challenges, the French government is actively working to restore its diminishing political and military influence on the continent by crafting a revised military strategy. Téné Birahima Ouattara, the Minister of Defense for Ivory Coast, remarked, “This act marks a new stage in our relations of friendship and strategic cooperation between our two nations.”