Côte d'Ivoire will withdraw all French soldiers from its country, the BBC reported on Wednesday. It is another West African country where a former colonial power was forced to end its military presence. France is losing influence in the region to Russia.
President Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara announced in his New Year's message that the withdrawal of French troops is part of the process of modernizing his country's armed forces.
The largest French military contingent in West Africa is currently stationed in Côte d'Ivoire, numbering 600 soldiers. French forces have been involved in two civil wars in the country, the first in 2002-2007 and the second in 2011.
Coups in former French colonies in Africa
At the same time, Senegal, where 300 French soldiers are based, announced last month that France would have to close its military bases on its territory. The withdrawal of French troops will take place by the end of 2025. In November, the Chadian government also unexpectedly ended defense cooperation with France.
Francewhich ended colonial rule in West Africa in the 1960s, has so far withdrawn its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after coups d'état in these countries. These three countries then moved closer to Russia.
France will maintain a military presence in Gabon. According to the BBC, fewer than 2,000 are currently stationed in Djibouti in eastern Africa and Gabon. French soldiers.
READ ALSO: “Le Monde”: The authoritarian turn in the Sahel countries means a return to the times of the Cold War
Main photo source: defense.gouv.fr