French troops to exit Senegal by end of 2025
1 month, 2 weeks ago

French troops to exit Senegal by end of 2025

Al Jazeera  

Senegal distances itself from colonial past, following trend sweeping across West and Central Africa since 2022. France and Senegal are setting terms for a withdrawal of all French soldiers stationed in the West African country by the end of this year. The two countries said in a statement on Wednesday that they are establishing a joint commission that would oversee the “departure of French elements” from the country and “a restitution of bases” by year’s end. In November, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced that French army bases were “incompatible” with the country’s sovereignty and its 350 soldiers should leave. French President Emmanuel Macron admitted in a letter to Faye last year that France had committed a “massacre”.

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History of this topic

France begins handing over military bases to Senegal
Trending News
3 weeks, 3 days ago

France begins handing over military bases to Senegal

The Hindu  

France handed control of two military facilities to Senegal on Friday, beginning the formal process of withdrawing its military presence from the West African country amid its waning influence in the region. “The French side handed over to the Senegalese side the facilities and housing in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts on Friday, March 7, 2025," the French Embassy in …

France begins handing over military bases to Senegal
3 weeks, 3 days ago

France begins handing over military bases to Senegal

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — France handed control of two military facilities to Senegal on Friday, beginning the formal process of withdrawing its military presence from the West African country amid its waning influence in the region. “The French side handed over to the Senegalese side the facilities and housing in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts on Friday, March 7, 2025,” the …

French troops formally pull out of Chad
2 months ago

French troops formally pull out of Chad

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2025-01-31 20:31 N'DJAMENA -- Chad on Friday held a ceremony to mark the formal withdrawal of French troops from the Central African nation. At the ceremony, France officially handed over its main military base in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, marking the end of its 125-year military presence in the country. "We are not breaking our relationship …

Is France’s influence in West Africa over?
2 months, 1 week ago

Is France’s influence in West Africa over?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On January 1, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced that French troops would withdraw from the country by the end of the month. On December 3, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called for the closure of all French military bases, commenting that their presence was “incompatible” with the country’s national sovereignty. Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Chad …

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision
Trending News
2 months, 3 weeks 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 …

Senegal and Chad say ousting of French troops was their sovereign decision
2 months, 3 weeks ago

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

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. Senegal, Chad and Ivory Coast last month announced the …

Frexit: Why Ivory Coast is joining African campaign to expel French troops
Trending News
2 months, 4 weeks 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
2 months, 4 weeks 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
3 months 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
3 months 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
3 months ago

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

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 Ivory Coast announced on Tuesday …

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

France hands over first base in Chad during withdrawal from former colony
3 months ago

France hands over first base in Chad during withdrawal from former colony

Al Jazeera  

Chad last month ended military cooperation with its former colonial power, and French troops began leaving the country last week. Chad’s chief of military staff on Thursday said the base at Faya-Largeau in the north of the country had been handed over and the army would inform the public about progress concerning the withdrawal of French forces from bases in …

Why African countries are ousting France’s military, one by one
3 months, 1 week 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
3 months, 1 week 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 …

France’s military is being ousted from more African countries. Here’s why
3 months, 1 week 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 months, 2 weeks 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 …

Hundreds of people in Chad protest against the French military presence in the country
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Hundreds of people in Chad protest against the French military presence in the country

Associated Press  

N’DJAMENA, Chad — Hundreds of people marched in Chad on Friday to call for the withdrawal of French troops from the country, a week after the Central African country ended a military agreement with its former colonial ruler. Protesters in the capital, N’Djamena, chanted “Chad for us, France out!” with some holding banners that read, “We do not want to …

Macron's apology key step towards reconciliation between France and Senegal as Senegal honours victims of 1944 massacre
Trending News
4 months 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 …

Senegal seeks answers 80 years after French colonial massacre of soldiers
4 months ago

Senegal seeks answers 80 years after French colonial massacre of soldiers

Al Jazeera  

Commemoration prompts renewed calls for an investigation into the killing of African soldiers by the French army in 1944. The West African country has long demanded its former coloniser take responsibility, officially apologise and properly investigate the massacre that took place in Thiaroye, a fishing village on the outskirts of Senegal’s capital, Dakar. “France must recognise that on that day, …

For first time, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French massacre
4 months ago

For first time, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French massacre

Deccan Chronicle  

Dakar : French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognised the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities. Macron's move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings in Thiaroye - a fishing village on the outskirts …

For the first time, France’s Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French as massacre
4 months ago

For the first time, France’s Macron calls 1944 killings of West African troops by French as massacre

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognized the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities. Macron’s move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings in Thiaroye — a fishing village on the …

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso military leaders sign new pact, rebuff ECOWAS
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso military leaders sign new pact, rebuff ECOWAS

Al Jazeera  

Move is latest sign the countries are moving away from traditional regional and Western allies following spate of coups. The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have hailed a newly signed treaty as a step “towards greater integration” between the three countries, in the latest showing of their shift away from traditional regional and Western allies. The signing …

Burkina Faso kicks out three French diplomats over ‘subversive activities’
11 months, 2 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 Embassy in Niger Closed 'Until Further Notice': Ministry
1 year, 2 months ago

France Embassy in Niger Closed 'Until Further Notice': Ministry

News 18  

France has closed down its embassy in Niger until further notice, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday, barely two weeks after the last French troops left the country in the wake of a coup that ousted a key Paris ally. The closure of the embassy in Niamey represents one of the final chapters in the winding down of a French …

Last set of French troops exit Niger as Sahel sheds Parisian influence
1 year, 3 months ago

Last set of French troops exit Niger as Sahel sheds Parisian influence

Al Jazeera  

The exit is the third time in 18 months that French troops have been sent packing from a country in the Sahel. The last French troops in Niger have withdrawn, marking an end to more than a decade of French operations to fight armed groups in West Africa’s Sahel region. “Today’s date … marks the end of the disengagement process …

France completes withdrawal of troops from northern base in Niger as part of planned departure
1 year, 5 months ago

France completes withdrawal of troops from northern base in Niger as part of planned departure

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — France has completed the withdrawal of troops from a northern base in Niger as part of a planned departure from the West African country in the wake of July’s military coup. Nearly 200 troops, 28 trucks and two dozen armored vehicles left the Ouallam military base, which has been handed to Niger, a junta spokesman, Col. Maj. …

French troops are starting to withdraw from Niger and junta leaders give UN head 72 hours to leave
1 year, 5 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, …

France's withdrawal from Niger could jeopardize counterterrorism operations in the Sahel
1 year, 6 months ago

France's withdrawal from Niger could jeopardize counterterrorism operations in the Sahel

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In response, the junta welcomed the end of “imperialist and neo-colonialist forces" and said …

France to withdraw troops from Niger after military coup
1 year, 6 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 …

French troops to withdraw from Niger by year-end says France’s President
1 year, 6 months ago

French troops to withdraw from Niger by year-end says France’s President

Live Mint  

President Emmanuel Macron said French troops will leave Niger by year’s end, bowing to the demands of a junta in the former colony after a coup that upended France’s strategy in Africa. Withdrawing France’s roughly 1,500 troops marks a reversal for Macron, who previously rejected a Sept. 3 deadline by the coup leaders and said he’d only do so at …

President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger and pull ambassador after coup
1 year, 6 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, 6 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, 6 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, …

France to withdraw ambassador, troops from Niger after coup: Macron
1 year, 6 months ago

France to withdraw ambassador, troops from Niger after coup: Macron

Al Jazeera  

The new military rulers had been demanding the exit of the French ambassador and troops after President Macron refused to recognise the coup. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that his country will withdraw its ambassador and troops from Niger in the wake of the July coup that overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum. Niger’s new rulers, who had been demanding …

Thousands rally in Niger seeking withdrawal of French troops
1 year, 6 months ago

Thousands rally in Niger seeking withdrawal of French troops

The Hindu  

September 02, 2023 10:20 pm | Updated 10:20 pm IST - Niamey, Niger Thousands rallied Saturday in the Niger capital Niamey to demand that former colonial ruler France withdraw its troops as sought by a junta which seized power in June. The protesters gathered near a base housing French soldiers following a call by several civic organisations hostile to the …

France prepares to evacuate citizens from Niger as military coup get support from other West African nations
1 year, 8 months ago

France prepares to evacuate citizens from Niger as military coup get support from other West African nations

India TV News  

After supporters of the Niger military attacked the French embassy on Sunday, France is now preparing to evacuate its citizens as well as those from other European countries, as the recent coup gained support from three other West African countries ruled by the military. West African countries back military coup Meanwhile, the countries of Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened …

Explained | Why have French troops withdrawn from Burkina Faso?
2 years, 1 month 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
2 years, 1 month 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 recalls ambassador to Burkina Faso, pulls out troops
2 years, 2 months ago

France recalls ambassador to Burkina Faso, pulls out troops

Associated Press  

PARIS — The French foreign ministry said Thursday it is recalling its ambassador to Burkina Faso for consultations, one day after Paris decided to withdraw troops from the West African country following a demand by its military rulers. France’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that French troops deployed in Burkina Faso will have left the country within a month, in line …

France agrees to withdraw troops from Burkina Faso within a month
2 years, 2 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. …

Burkina Faso ends ties with French troops, orders departure
2 years, 2 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
2 years, 2 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 …

Last French troops leave Mali, ending nine-year deployment
2 years, 7 months ago

Last French troops leave Mali, ending nine-year deployment

Al Jazeera  

France announced withdrawal in February as relations with Bamako frayed in wake of military coups in 2020 and 2021. France has said its final troops have left Mali, completing a withdrawal that ends a nine-year operation in the country at the centre of the Sahel region’s spiralling security crisis. “Today at 1pm Paris time the final contingent of the Barkhane …

French military: Last group of soldiers has left Mali
2 years, 7 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 …

Before Mali withdrawal, France prepares future Sahel strategy
2 years, 8 months ago

Before Mali withdrawal, France prepares future Sahel strategy

Al Jazeera  

France is stationing more forces in Niger and Chad to fight ‘terrorist groups’ amid 2,400 troops exiting from Mali. French officials are heading to Niger to redefine the country’s strategy to fight armed groups in the Sahel as its troops complete a withdrawal from Mali and concerns mount over the growing threat to coastal West African states. Some 300-400 would …

What to make of the French exit from Mali?
3 years ago

What to make of the French exit from Mali?

Al Jazeera  

On February 17, France and its European allies announced that they will begin withdrawing their troops from Mali after nearly 10 years. In response, France first suspended its joint military operations with Malian forces and then announced its decision to “draw down” its counterinsurgency campaign in Mali, known as Operation Barkhane. Barkane’s failure and the trouble with foreign military interventions …

Uncertainty looms in Mali as France announces troop pullout
3 years, 1 month ago

Uncertainty looms in Mali as France announces troop pullout

Associated Press  

BAMAKO, Mali — France’s announcement Thursday that it will withdraw its troops from Mali was anticipated by many in this West African nation where Malians have protested the presence of soldiers from the former colonial power. He told The Associated Press he heard with regret French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Thursday that France will withdraw its military from Mali within …

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