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France withdraws from Senegal, ending permanent military presence in former colony

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 17 July 2025 8:13 PM

France has formally completed its withdrawal of troops from Senegal, ending its permanent military presence in its former colony in West Africa.

France completed the withdrawal of some 350 troops and handed over control of its last major military installations - including Camp Geille and a nearby airbase - to Senegal in a ceremony in the capital Dakar on Thursday.

The move marks the end of the European country's long military presence in Senegal since the African nation's independence in 1960, and a milestone in a withdrawal from the wider region of West Africa.

The withdrawal came after Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's decision last year to end foreign military bases, part of a regional shift rejecting neo-colonialism and valuing national sovereignty.

"It is part of France's decision to end permanent military bases in West and Central Africa, and responds to the Senegalese authorities' desire to no longer host permanent foreign forces on their territory," said Gen. Pascal Ianni, head of French forces in Africa.

Senegal's military leaders have already welcomed the move as a step toward boosting domestic defense autonomy while maintaining regional and global peace efforts.

"Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the sub-region, in Africa, and globally," said Senegal's military chief, Gen. Mbaye Cissé, stressing that the withdrawal supports the country's new defense strategy.

Last year, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger pushed out French troops and turned to Russia for help in their fight against Daesh- and al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups in the restive Sahel region.

They also turned away from West African bloc ECOWAS and formed their own alliance of Sahel states.

In February, France also returned its last military base in Ivory Coast, bringing an end to its decades-long presence in the country.

The only remaining permanent French military base in Africa is in the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, with reduced footprints elsewhere.

France's withdrawal from Senegal and other nations highlight a growing departure from long-standing military influence and increasing interest by several African governments in alternative security partnerships, including with Russia.