Politics Ivory Coast announces withdrawal of French troops
The President of West Africa's Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has announced the withdrawal of French troops from the country in his New Year's address. "We have decided on a coordinated and organized withdrawal of French troops," said Ouattara in his speech.
01.01.2025, 10:49
SDA
The withdrawal will begin in January, said the President. He referred to the modernization of the Ivorian army. The location of the French naval infantry battalion in Port Bouet would therefore be handed over to troops from Côte d'Ivoire. Around 600 French soldiers are currently stationed in the Ivory Coast.
Previously, several West African states - including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - had already called on France to withdraw its troops. France had maintained a military presence in the countries of the region even after the end of its colonial rule and was most recently involved in the fight against Islamist extremists, among other things. When the French troops leave Côte d'Ivoire, there will only be French military bases in Africa in Gabon and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.
