Ivory Coast President, Alassane Ouattara, announced on Tuesday that French forces will begin withdrawing from the country. In a televised end-of-year address to the nation, Ouattara emphasized the strength and modernization of Ivory Coast’s own armed forces, stating that the decision to remove French troops was part of a broader effort to assert the country’s sovereignty and military independence.
Ouattara confirmed that the withdrawal would be coordinated and organized, signaling a significant shift in the country’s security landscape. France, which currently has approximately 2,200 troops stationed in Ivory Coast, is reportedly planning to scale down its military presence in West and Central Africa to 600 troops. This move is part of a larger strategy by France to reduce its involvement in former colonial territories.
This announcement follows France’s recent pullout from several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where anti-French sentiment has surged in the wake of military coups. Ivory Coast’s decision mirrors broader regional trends, as countries in the Sahel and beyond increasingly seek to limit French influence in their military affairs.
The Chadian government, a key ally in the fight against Islamic militants, also ended its defense cooperation pact with France in November, further signaling the shifting dynamics between France and its former African partners. As French forces withdraw, Ivory Coast and other countries in the region are looking to bolster their own security measures amid growing instability in the Sahel.
