France Ends Permanent Military Presence in Senegal, Marking a Turning Point in West Africa

Edited By: Widad WAHBI

France has officially completed its military withdrawal from Senegal, bringing an end to its last permanent troop deployment in West Africa. The move follows a series of strategic withdrawals across the continent and reflects a broader reassessment of France’s military footprint in the region.

A handover ceremony took place in Dakar on Thursday, during which the French military transferred control of Camp Geille and a nearby air facility to the Senegalese authorities. The event marked the end of a three-month disengagement process involving some 350 French troops.

General Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa, described the withdrawal as part of a “new phase” in Franco-African defense cooperation. “This decision reflects France’s shift away from permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, in response to Senegal’s desire to assert full sovereignty over its territory,” Ianni stated.

Senegal’s Chief of Staff, General Mbaye Cissé, welcomed the development, highlighting it as a cornerstone of the country’s new defense policy. “Our goal is to reinforce the autonomy of the Senegalese Armed Forces while contributing to regional and global peace,” he said.

The departure of French forces from Senegal follows a request made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in 2024, advocating the removal of all foreign military forces from Senegalese soil as a matter of national sovereignty.

France’s military presence in Senegal dated back to the country’s independence in 1960 and was governed by longstanding defense agreements. The decision to withdraw aligns with France’s broader strategy to transition from permanent deployments to flexible, partnership-based support—focusing on training and strategic cooperation rather than direct presence.

While France maintains some military advisors in Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon, the closure of permanent bases in Senegal, Chad, and earlier in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, signals a significant geopolitical shift.

The move also comes amid rising anti-French sentiment in parts of Francophone Africa, where new governments have increasingly looked to diversify their security partnerships, including with Russia and other actors.