France's military is being ousted from more African countries. Here's why
2 weeks, 6 days ago

France's military is being ousted from more African countries. Here's why

Deccan Chronicle  

Dakar: It's been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin of France’s post-colonial military dominance in the entire Sahel region,” said Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, referring to the arid region south of the Sahara. The decisions by Senegal and Chad “are part of the wider structural transformation in the region’s engagement with France, in which Paris political and military influence continues to diminish,” Durmaz added. But three French top officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive talks with the concerned countries, said France aimed for a sharp reduction of its military in all its bases in Africa except the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti — where Macron is expected to travel in the coming days. The officials said it doesn’t mean France would necessarily reduce military cooperation but instead would respond to needs expressed by countries.

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History of this topic

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision
Trending News
1 day, 19 hours ago

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese and Chadian leaders said that the ousting of French troops from their territories was their sovereign decision, rejecting remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron that suggested otherwise. Macron said Monday at an annual meeting of foreign ambassadors that France had “proposed to the African heads of state to reorganize our presence.” He added, “As we are …

Macron’s claim that Africans failed to say ‘thank you’ for French military aid sparks outrage
2 days, 10 hours ago

Macron’s claim that Africans failed to say ‘thank you’ for French military aid sparks outrage

CNN  

CNN — African governments have criticized a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he said that some leaders showed “ingratitude” for the deployment of his nation’s troops in the Sahel region in battling Islamist extremism. “Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease not transmissible to man.” Macron’s comments were denounced by Chad’s foreign affairs minister, …

Frexit: Why Ivory Coast is joining African campaign to expel French troops
Trending News
6 days, 10 hours ago

Frexit: Why Ivory Coast is joining African campaign to expel French troops

Al Jazeera  

French military troops who have been in Ivory Coast for decades will soon be leaving, Ivorian officials have said, signalling more diplomatic setbacks for France amid local resentment that has caused one-time allies in West and Central Africa to sever ties with Paris. President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement on Tuesday puts Ivory Coast on a growing list of African countries cutting …

Africa on ‘France Out’ campaign, ally Ivory Coast latest to join the bandwagon
6 days, 23 hours ago

Africa on ‘France Out’ campaign, ally Ivory Coast latest to join the bandwagon

Firstpost  

In recent months, six African countries have asked France to withdraw their troops, significantly curtailing France’s influence in the region that it had traditionally had a sway in Ivory Coast has become the latest African country to join the ‘France Out’ campaign. Despite years of counter-insurgency activities, at least six countries have asked France to withdraw soldiers: Ivory Coast, Chad, …

Ivory Coast Joins West African Nations Asking French Troops to Leave
1 week ago

Ivory Coast Joins West African Nations Asking French Troops to Leave

Live Mint  

-- Ivory Coast’s president announced the withdrawal of French troops from the country, joining a growing number of francophone states that have asked the former colonial power to relinquish its military presence in West Africa. Paris’s remaining permanent military bases in Ivory Coast, Senegal and Gabon have become “major political vulnerabilities” for Paris and for their African host governments, according …

Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades
1 week, 1 day ago

Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades

Al Jazeera  

Ivory Coast is the latest West African nation to expel troops of former colonial power after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will leave the country this month after a decades-long military presence, becoming the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former coloniser. In an end-of-year address to the nation on …

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so
1 week, 1 day ago

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so

Live Mint  

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power. France has suffered similar setbacks in several West African countries in recent years, including Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso, where French troops that have been on …

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so
Top News
1 week, 1 day ago

Ivory Coast asks French troops to leave, the latest African country to do so

Associated Press  

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday that French troops will leave the country after a decadeslong military presence, the latest African nation to downscale military ties with its former colonial power. Analysts have described the requests for French troops to leave Africa as part of the wider structural transformation in the region’s engagement with Paris. France has …

Why African countries are ousting France’s military, one by one
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Why African countries are ousting France’s military, one by one

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin …

France’s military is being ousted from more African countries. Here’s why
2 weeks, 6 days ago

France’s military is being ousted from more African countries. Here’s why

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — It’s been a tumultuous month for France and its relationship with former colonies in Africa, as its influence on the continent faces the biggest challenge in decades. “Chad’s decision marks the final nail in the coffin of France’s post-colonial military dominance in the entire Sahel region,” said Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk …

Is Francafrique ending? Why Senegal is cutting military ties with France
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Is Francafrique ending? Why Senegal is cutting military ties with France

Al Jazeera  

A wave of African countries is pushing the former coloniser back, but Senegal is the only one without a military government in power. In Senegal, a country bustling with French-owned businesses and nationals, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s recent announcement that France should shut down its military bases should have come as a surprise. Beverly Ochieng, a Dakar-based researcher with intelligence …

Macron's apology key step towards reconciliation between France and Senegal as Senegal honours victims of 1944 massacre
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Macron's apology key step towards reconciliation between France and Senegal as Senegal honours victims of 1944 massacre

Firstpost  

French troops have been ousted in recent years from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after years of fighting Islamic extremists alongside regional troops. Earlier this week, Chad, one of the last countries in the region in which France had maintained a large military presence, ended a military cooperation agreement with Paris Biram Senghor regularly goes to pay his respects at …

Chad ends a defense cooperation agreement with its former colonial ruler France
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Chad ends a defense cooperation agreement with its former colonial ruler France

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Chad’s government said it was ending a defense cooperation agreement with France in order to redefine the nation’s sovereignty from its former colonial ruler. The decision marks a historic turning point since the Central African nation gained independence more than six decades ago, foreign ministry spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said in a statement Thursday. Chad was one of …

Chad ends military cooperation with France
1 month, 1 week ago

Chad ends military cooperation with France

Al Jazeera  

As Sahel nations move closer to Russia, Chad’s top diplomat says country is ‘very jealous of its sovereignty’. Chad has said it is ending its defence cooperation agreement with former colonial power France, a move that will require French soldiers to leave the Central African country. Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah called France “an essential partner” but said it “must now …

Burkina Faso kicks out three French diplomats over ‘subversive activities’
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Burkina Faso kicks out three French diplomats over ‘subversive activities’

Al Jazeera  

France condemns the move and says there ‘were no legitimate grounds’ to expel its diplomats. Burkina Faso has accused three French diplomats of “subversive activities” and ordered them to leave the country within 48 hours, according to a foreign ministry letter viewed by Reuters and Agence France-Presse news agencies. Burkina Faso’s government did not provide details of the allegations against …

France completes military withdrawal from Niger, leaving a gap in the terror fight in the Sahel
1 year ago

France completes military withdrawal from Niger, leaving a gap in the terror fight in the Sahel

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — France on Friday completed the withdrawal of its troops after they were asked to leave Niger by the country’s new junta, ending years of on-the-ground military support and raising concerns from analysts about a gap in the fight against jihadi violence across the Sahel region of Africa. France already announced this week that it would close its …

French troops are starting to withdraw from Niger and junta leaders give UN head 72 hours to leave
1 year, 2 months ago

French troops are starting to withdraw from Niger and junta leaders give UN head 72 hours to leave

Associated Press  

COTONOU, Benin — French troops have started leaving Niger more than two months after mutinous soldiers toppled the African country’s democratically elected president, the military said Wednesday. The military rulers had wanted Niger’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Bakary Yaou Sangare, who was made foreign minister after the coup, to speak on its behalf at the General Assembly. However, …

Why Emmanuel Macron is pulling French troops out of Niger
1 year, 3 months ago

Why Emmanuel Macron is pulling French troops out of Niger

Hindustan Times  

When on July 26th soldiers from Niger’s presidential guard detained and overthrew the leader they were supposed to be protecting, France insisted that it would not take orders from the new junta. When the coup leaders told France’s ambassador and its 1,500 soldiers stationed in the country to get out, the former colonial power dug in its heels, citing a …

France to withdraw troops from Niger after military coup
1 year, 3 months ago

France to withdraw troops from Niger after military coup

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Macron’s announcement came after the coup leaders issued …

President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger and pull ambassador after coup
1 year, 3 months ago

President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger and pull ambassador after coup

The Hindu  

President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24 that France will end its military presence in Niger and pull its ambassador out of the country after its democratically elected president was deposed in a coup. France has maintained some 1,500 troops in Niger since the July coup, and had repeatedly refused an order by the new junta for its ambassador to …

France to end its military presence in Niger, pull its ambassador after coup
1 year, 3 months ago

France to end its military presence in Niger, pull its ambassador after coup

LA Times  

French President Emmanuel Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger and pull its ambassador out of the country. French President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday that France will end its military presence in Niger and pull its ambassador out of the country as a result of the coup that removed the democratically elected president. Ali Sekou Ramadan, an …

President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger, pull its ambassador after coup
1 year, 3 months ago

President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger, pull its ambassador after coup

Associated Press  

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday that France will end its military presence in Niger and pull its ambassador out of the country as a result of the coup that removed the democratically elected president. Ali Sekou Ramadan, an aide to Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, told The Associated Press that Bazoum requested that Macron withdraw the French ambassador, …

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July
1 year, 3 months ago

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July

The Hindu  

Niger's new military leaders accused France of amassing forces for a possible military intervention in the country following the coup in July. Niger's junta spokesman, Maj. Amadou Abdramane, said that France is also considering collaborating in such an intervention with the Economic Community of West African States, a regional bloc known as ECOWAS. “France continues to deploy its forces in …

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July
1 year, 3 months ago

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Niger's new military leaders accused …

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July
1 year, 3 months ago

Niger junta accuses France of amassing forces for a military intervention after the coup in July

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Niger’s new military leaders accused France of amassing forces for a possible military intervention in the country following the coup in July. Niger’s junta spokesman, Maj. Amadou Abdramane, said that France is also considering collaborating in such an intervention with the Economic Community of West African States, a regional bloc known as ECOWAS. “France continues to deploy …

France’s waning influence in coup-hit Africa appears clear while few remember their former colonizer
1 year, 4 months ago

France’s waning influence in coup-hit Africa appears clear while few remember their former colonizer

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — When Gabon’s longtime leader was detained in the latest coup in Africa last week, France condemned the takeover but did little to intervene — despite having hundreds of troops in the country. “France stirs up conflict in Central African Republic and is putting pressure on authorities to not bring forth real development policies,” said Anicet L’appel, publisher …

Niger: Fresh anti-France protests erupt in Niamey as thousands demand withdrawal of French troops
1 year, 4 months ago

Niger: Fresh anti-France protests erupt in Niamey as thousands demand withdrawal of French troops

India TV News  

A fresh round of anti-France protests erupted in Niger's capital, Niamey, as thousands gathered on Saturday to demand the withdrawal of French troops from the country over a month after the military coup that ousted a democratically-elected government from power. The military administration in Niger had also announced the expulsion of France's Ambassador to Niger Sylvain Itte and gave him …

What’s behind the French leader’s visit to central Africa?
1 year, 10 months ago

What’s behind the French leader’s visit to central Africa?

Al Jazeera  

France has already announced it’s scaling down its military presence on the African continent. French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting four nations in central Africa. He’s hoping to regain influence on a continent where the former colonial power now faces competition from other nations, notably China and Russia. France has announced it’s scaling back its military presence on the continent …

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa
1 year, 10 months ago

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reduce the number of French troops in Africa under a “new security partnership” with the concerned nations and to roll out more ambitious economic policies, in a bid to boost France’s waning influence in the continent. Macron called for opening a “new era” in a speech at the Elysee presidential palace, ahead …

Macron to outline Africa policy before four-nation trip
1 year, 10 months ago

Macron to outline Africa policy before four-nation trip

Firstpost  

Paris: President Emmanuel Macron is to outline on Monday France’s revamped strategy for Africa, where anti-French sentiment is running high in some of its former colonies. His speech at the presidential palace comes two days ahead of a four-nation tour of central African countries, as Paris seeks to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region. France has fallen …

Explained | Why have French troops withdrawn from Burkina Faso?
1 year, 10 months ago

Explained | Why have French troops withdrawn from Burkina Faso?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On February 19, Burkina Faso announced an official end to the operations led by France in the country. France had signed a military agreement with Burkina Faso in 2018 to achieve stability against the threat of Islamist militant groups. On January 23, Burkina Faso’s military government announced its decision to end the military agreement with France …

Burkina Faso's junta chief denies diplomatic split from Paris
1 year, 11 months ago

Burkina Faso's junta chief denies diplomatic split from Paris

Firstpost  

France had special forces based in the capital Ouagadougou, but its presence had come under intense scrutiny as anti-French sentiment in the region grows, with Paris withdrawing its ambassador to Burkina over the junta’s demands Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso’s junta leader said Friday his country had not severed diplomatic ties with France, which he has asked to withdraw its forces, and …

France agrees to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso within a month
1 year, 11 months ago

France agrees to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso within a month

Al Jazeera  

The move comes after the Sahel country’s military rulers demanded that Paris withdraw its forces. France will withdraw its troops from Burkina Faso within a month after the West African country’s military rulers asked it to leave, the French foreign ministry said, in a move that will further reduce its presence in a region facing growing violence from armed groups. …

France asks Burkina Faso to clarify troop departure reports
1 year, 11 months ago

France asks Burkina Faso to clarify troop departure reports

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he was awaiting “clarifications” from Burkina Faso’s new junta leader following a report saying authorities in the West African country ordered hundreds of French troops to leave within a month. Macron said during a news conference in Paris that the message from Burkina Faso were “confusing” with junta leader Ibrahim Traore away …

Burkina Faso ends ties with French troops, orders departure
1 year, 11 months ago

Burkina Faso ends ties with French troops, orders departure

Associated Press  

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s junta government late Saturday ordered hundreds of French troops to depart the West African country within a month, following in the path of neighboring Mali, whose nation is also headed by a coup leader. The move by Burkina Faso’s regime comes five months after France completed its withdrawal from Mali after nine years fighting …

Burkina Faso demands departure of French troops: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Burkina Faso demands departure of French troops: Report

Al Jazeera  

Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered French troops stationed in the West African country to leave within a month. The decision, announced by the official Agence d’Information du Burkina on Saturday, is the latest sign of deteriorating relations between France and its former colony since a second military coup in September of last year. “Despite their presence on Burkinabe soil …

French military: Last group of soldiers has left Mali
2 years, 4 months ago

French military: Last group of soldiers has left Mali

Associated Press  

NICE, France — The last French army unit left Mali on Monday, according to a statement from the French military, nine years after Paris sent troops to the West African country to help drive Islamic extremists from power. France’s armed forces completed their withdrawal from Mali six months after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to pull out of …

France, European allies announce military withdrawal from Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

France, European allies announce military withdrawal from Mali

Al Jazeera  

French President Emmanuel Macron denies that the almost decade-long military deployment led by his country has ended in failure. A statement signed by France and its African and European allies and published on Thursday said that “multiple obstructions” by the ruling military government meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in Mali. “The political, operational and …

France hosts talks on Mali, intends to withdraw troops
2 years, 10 months ago

France hosts talks on Mali, intends to withdraw troops

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron met with African and European leaders Wednesday evening in Paris ahead of an expected announcement of the withdrawal of French troops from Mali. The EU this month imposed sanctions on five senior members of Mali’s transitional government, including Prime Minister Choguel Maiga, accusing them of working to obstruct the country’s transition from military to …

Macron expected to announce French withdrawal from Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

Macron expected to announce French withdrawal from Mali

Al Jazeera  

Withdrawal would mark a major strategic shift by France, which has had troops in Mali for nine years. The pullout from Mali, with a redeployment of forces to other countries in the region, amounts to a major strategic shift by France, ending a nine-year mission that successive French presidents had argued was crucial for regional and European security. “If the …

France to pull more than 2,000 troops from Africa’s Sahel region
3 years, 6 months ago

France to pull more than 2,000 troops from Africa’s Sahel region

Al Jazeera  

President Emmanuel Macron tells G5 summit that France will reduce its force to 2,500 to 3,000 troops over the long term. France will soon begin reshaping its military presence in the Sahel region of West Africa and will ultimately halve it, President Emmanuel Macron has said. Reconfiguring French presence France will focus over the next six months on dismantling the …

France’s Macron rules out immediate troop drawdown from Sahel
3 years, 10 months ago

France’s Macron rules out immediate troop drawdown from Sahel

Al Jazeera  

French president says rushed exit from volatile region in West Africa would be a mistake, as Chad deploys reinforcements. President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out an immediate drawdown in France’s 5,100-strong Barkhane forces battling armed groups in the Sahel region of West Africa, describing a rushed exit as a mistake. Armed groups affiliated to al-Qaeda and ISIL, once confined to …

France seeks strategy change to reduce troops in West Africa
4 years ago

France seeks strategy change to reduce troops in West Africa

Associated Press  

PARIS — As it pays tribute Thursday to French soldiers killed in Mali and faces questions over a deadly airstrike, France is considering changing its military strategy against Islamic extremists in Africa’s Sahel region — and a possible partial troop pullout. Defense Minister Florence Parly said France will “very likely” reduce its 5,100 troops in the Sahel region, in an …

France, Sahel nations to bolster military cooperation
4 years, 11 months ago

France, Sahel nations to bolster military cooperation

Al Jazeera  

French President Macron commits to extra 220 troops in push against fighters in the Sahel. France and five West African states agreed on Monday to combine their military forces under one command structure to fight a growing battle in the Sahel region, with Paris committing an extra 220 troops. French President Emmanuel Macron had called the leaders of Mali, Burkina …

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