On Thursday, France officially returned its remaining two military bases in Senegal, resulting in Paris having no long-term facilities in either western or central Africa.
The removal, which marks the end of the French army’s 65-year presence in Senegal, reflects comparable departures throughout the continent, as former colonies are progressively distancing themselves from their previous colonial power.
The decision follows an increasing jihadist conflict in the Sahel region, affecting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which is endangering countries in the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
A series of recent attacks this month in Mali involved an attack on a town located near the border with Senegal.
France handed over Camp Geille, its biggest base in the West African nation, along with its airfield at Dakar airport, during a ceremony that was attended by high-ranking French and Senegalese officials.
They mentioned Senegalese chief of staff General Mbaye Cisse and General Pascal Ianni, who leads French military operations in Africa.
Cisse stated that the transfer represented “a significant milestone in the extensive and lengthy military history of our two nations.”
He mentioned that the “new goals” were intended to “provide fresh substance to the security alliance.”
Senegalese forces were engaged “in strengthening the various skills acquired during its pursuit of strategic independence,” he further stated.
Ianni mentioned that Paris is “redefining collaborations in a vibrant Africa.”
“We are beginning a new chapter in the military history of our two nations… a unique bond that is crucial for the countries in the region,” he added.
Approximately 350 French troops, mainly responsible for carrying out collaborative operations with the Senegalese military, are currently departing, signaling the conclusion of a three-month exit procedure that started in March.
Following a decisive win in the 2024 elections, where he pledged significant transformation, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called for the departure of French forces from the nation by 2025.
In contrast to the leaders of other former colonies like junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Faye has stated that Senegal will continue to collaborate with Paris.
Following its independence in 1960, Senegal emerged as one of France’s most loyal African partners, providing a base for French military forces over the years.
Faye’s predecessor, Macky Sall, carried on with that practice.
Faye, who campaigned on a platform advocating a clear separation from the Sall period, has stated that Senegal will regard France as just another international partner.
Committing to enhance his nation’s independence, the president set a deadline of the end of 2025 for all foreign military forces to leave.
“Senegal is an independent nation, it is a self-governing state, and sovereignty does not permit the existence of military bases within a self-governing country,” Faye stated at the end of 2024.
He still insisted that France remained “a significant ally for Senegal”.
Faye has also called on Paris to issue an apology for colonial crimes, such as the killing of several African soldiers who had fought for France during World War II on December 1, 1944.
As governments throughout Africa begin to challenge France’s military presence, Paris has shut down or decreased the number of bases across its former colonies.
In February, Paris returned its last remaining base in Ivory Coast, marking the end of several decades of French presence at the location.
Previously, France handed over the Kossei base in Chad, its final military presence in the unstable Sahel region.
Military leaders have come to power in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali through coups between 2020 and 2023.
Everyone has severed connections with France and sought assistance from Russia instead to combat the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel that has persisted for a decade.
The Central African Republic, which was previously a French colony and where the Kremlin has deployed mercenaries, has also called for the withdrawal of French forces.
In the meantime, the military has transformed its base in Gabon into a shared camp with the Central African country.
Only the small Horn of Africa country of Djibouti will host a permanent French military installation after the withdrawal on Thursday.
France plans to establish its presence in Djibouti, home to approximately 1,500 personnel, serving as its military headquarters for the African continent.