France has announced plans to significantly reduce its military presence in Africa by 2025, as part of a strategic shift in its foreign deployment.
According to the French newspaper “Libération,” the French military will exit its bases in Senegal, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad.
These bases will then be managed by the host countries, potentially shared with soldiers from other nations, or converted into training centers, and in some cases, completely vacated.
This move is in line with a broader diplomatic-military strategy spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The approach aims to avoid a hasty or forced withdrawal of French forces, as witnessed in Niger in 2023.
By reducing the number of French troops in West Africa and the Sahel, Macron seeks to address the growing opposition among African citizens and governments to the French military presence.
The new strategy will focus on redeploying French forces in missions with clearer strategic objectives and less visible presence, ensuring the ability for rapid mobilization and intervention when necessary.
The shift comes after a period of tension in Niger, where military coup leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of French troops following their takeover in late July 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
In response, President Macron announced in September 2023 that the 1,500 French soldiers stationed in Niger would be withdrawn by the end of the year.
By the end of December, France had completed the withdrawal of its forces from Niger and announced the closure of its embassy in Niamey, citing an inability to carry out diplomatic functions effectively.
