France has formally ended its permanent military presence in Senegal, handing over control of its last major military facility, Camp Geille in Dakar, to Senegalese authorities.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in France’s withdrawal from West Africa, with about 350 French soldiers set to depart after a three-month drawdown that began in March.
The handover reflects a shift in the partnership between the two countries, with France planning to focus on training, intelligence sharing, and responding to requests for assistance.
The decision to withdraw French troops was made after Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced last year that France’s military bases were incompatible with Senegalese sovereignty.
The process has been more amicable than France’s departures from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military juntas pushed out French troops and turned to Russia for help fighting jihadist insurgencies.
Senegal’s military chief, General Mbaye Cissé, emphasized that the withdrawal supports the country’s new defense strategy, affirming the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion, Africa, and globally.
France’s presence in Senegal dated back over two centuries, but both countries agree that cooperation will continue, with Senegal benefiting from training and information exchanges.
This move marks the end of France’s longstanding military engagement in West Africa, with Djibouti now hosting France’s only permanent garrison on the continent.
The era of large permanent bases in Africa appears to be over, with France opting for a more flexible approach focused on training missions and targeted support.
