Faith Nyasuguta
Ivory Coast has officially taken control of Port-Bouet, the last remaining French military base in the country, marking a significant shift in its long-standing defence ties with France. The handover, completed on Thursday, comes as France continues to scale back its military footprint across West Africa amid rising anti-French sentiment and growing calls for sovereignty.
The formal transfer of control was marked by a ceremonial changing of the guard, symbolizing the shift of security responsibilities to the Ivorian army. While the majority of French troops have now left, around 80 French servicemen will remain in Ivory Coast to advise and train Ivorian forces, according to Tene Birahima Ouattara, Ivorian Defence and State Minister.
“The world is changing and changing fast. It’s clear that our defence relationship had to evolve, focusing on future security challenges rather than past ties,” Ouattara said during a joint press conference with French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu.
Lecornu emphasized that while France’s direct military presence is decreasing, its commitment to Ivory Coast remains intact. “France is transforming its presence. France is not disappearing,” he stated, underscoring Paris’ desire to maintain strategic partnerships while adapting to the region’s shifting dynamics.
The Ivory Coast handover is part of a wider trend across West Africa, where French forces have been systematically asked to withdraw from countries where they once held significant influence. In recent years, French troops have been expelled from Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Chad, countries where France maintained military bases post-independence.
This regional shift reflects growing dissatisfaction with France’s military strategies, especially in countries that have experienced coups and rising extremist violence. Analysts say the calls for French troop withdrawals are driven by increasing nationalist sentiments and the desire for new security alliances, even as concerns over terrorism and instability persist.
Following France’s departure, several West African nations, particularly Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso,have strengthened ties with Russia, turning to Russian mercenaries for military support. However, this shift has come with its own set of challenges. Russian mercenaries operating in the Sahel have faced accusations of human rights abuses, and extremist attacks in the region have intensified, raising concerns about worsening security.
Despite its military retreats, France still maintains troops in Djibouti (1,500 soldiers) and Gabon (350 troops). Yet, with over 70% of its former African military bases now closed, France’s influence on the continent has undeniably waned.
In response, the French government is working to develop a new military strategy aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and adapting to Africa’s changing security landscape. However, the growing shift toward alternative alliances signals that West Africa is increasingly moving away from its colonial past and redefining its partnerships on its own terms.
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