France ends 65-year troop presence in Senegal

France is set to return its last military bases in Senegal on July 17th, ending decades of presence in the country and highlighting its declining influence in West and Central Africa, according to France 24 via AFP.

This shift signifies the conclusion of 65 years of military presence in Senegal and reflects France’s waning role in Africa amid growing calls for sovereignty from its former colonies.

The push back against French military and political influence will see 250 French soldiers, who formerly participated in joint operations with the Senegalese army, set to withdraw from the West African nation following a three-month phased exit.

A formal ceremony in Dakar will mark the transfer of Camp Geille, France’s largest base in Senegal, and its airfield at Dakar Airport. Senior officials from both countries are expected to attend.

Since winning independence in 1960, Senegal has remained a key ally of France, with leaders including former President Macky Sall continuing the tradition of hosting French troops.

However, when Senegal’s current president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took office in 2024, he called for the withdrawal of French troops to promote greater national self-reliance.

“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” he stated.  

During his presidency, Faye has also urged France to apologise for colonial-era atrocities, specifically the 1944 massacre of African soldiers who fought for France during World War 2. 

Nevertheless, Faye maintains that “France remains an important partner for Senegal”.

This reflects a wider trend of France scaling back its military footprint in Africa. In February, it returned its only base in Ivory Coast, and in January, it withdrew from the Kossei base in Chad — its last remaining military outpost in the unstable Sahel region.

Between 2020 and 2023 there was a wave of military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger which lead to new regimes cutting ties with France and turning to Russia for security support amid ongoing jihadist insurgencies.

With Senegal’s exit, Djibouti will be the only remaining host to a permanent French military base in Africa. This outpost will be home to roughly 1,500 personnel and it set to become France’s military headquarters in Africa.  

France 24 Via AFP, Maghrebi.org