Ivory Coast has taken historic control of France’s final military base in the country, marking a pivotal moment in West Africa's security realignment. Over 80 French troops will remain as advisors, but the symbolic exit underscores deepening regional resistance to Western military presence.
The world is changing fast. Our defense partnerships must evolve to reflect new threats, not past alliances,stated Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara during the handover. France’s Armed Forces Minister reiterated Paris’s intent to transform, not abandonits regional role, though the retreat highlights fading postcolonial influence.
This move aligns with a surge of anti-French sentiment across coup-impacted West Africa. Since 2022, nations like Niger and Burkina Faso expelled French forces, slashing France’s African troop presence by 70%. Key partners now include only:
- Djibouti (1,500 troops)
- Gabon (350 troops)
Analysts link this exodus to rising Russian engagement. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s juntas now collaborate with Moscow’s Wagner mercenaries despite allegations of civilian abuses. Meanwhile, extremism has surged:
Jihadist attacks and civilian casualties spiked 40% post-French withdrawal in Mali. Experts warn that regional instability could escalate without coordinated counterterrorism strategies. Ouattara’s emphasis on future threatsreflects anxieties over fragmented security frameworks.
Paris aims to salvage influence through niche training initiatives, but skepticism persists. France’s era as Africa’s gendarme is over,argued Bamako-based security analyst Adama Diop. Local leaders now seek autonomy—even if it risks chaos.