France has announced it will retain 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast primarily for training purposes, even as it hands over control of a key military base in Abidjan. This move is part of a broader reduction of French military presence across West and Central Africa, where anti-French sentiment has grown and Russia has been expanding its influence.
During a ceremony in Abidjan on Thursday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized that France was “not disappearing” from the region. He stated that the 80 personnel would form the core of a joint detachment, focusing on training and reassessing needs based on Ivorian requests. “The 80 military personnel will form the basis of a joint detachment … depending on the needs you express, needs that will be constantly reassessed, particularly in terms of training,” Lecornu said.
France has maintained a military presence in Ivory Coast for decades, playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the country during political crises. Notably, French forces supported President Alassane Ouattara’s rise to power in 2011 after his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat in the 2010 election. However, in December 2024, Ouattara announced that French troops would withdraw from the country, aligning with France’s broader strategy to reduce its military footprint in the region.
This decision follows France’s withdrawal from other West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military coups and rising anti-French sentiment have strained relations. In December, France also began pulling its troops from Chad after the government terminated its defense cooperation agreement.
The scaling back of French forces comes as Russia strengthens its ties with several African nations, offering military support and resources. This shift has raised concerns among Western allies about the growing influence of Moscow in a region traditionally under French sway.
The 80 personnel remaining in Ivory Coast will focus on training Ivorian forces, reflecting France’s commitment to maintaining a strategic partnership despite its reduced military presence. The move underscores France’s effort to adapt to changing geopolitical dynamics while continuing to support its African allies in a more limited capacity.
