Ivory Coast Announces French Military Withdrawal

Ivory Coast government announces the withdrawal of French military forces from the country, signaling a shift in their military and diplomatic relations.

French troops will soon start withdrawing from Ivory Coast, announced President Alassane Ouattara of the West African nation during his New Year address.

In the televised speech, Mr. Ouattara announced, “We have agreed to a planned and orderly withdrawal of French troops.”

According to the president, the departure is scheduled to commence in January. He also mentioned plans for modernizing the Ivorian army.

He stated that the French naval infantry battalion stationed in Port Bouet would be transferred to control by the country’s own forces.

Approximately 600 French soldiers are presently stationed in Ivory Coast.

A number of West African countries, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, had earlier requested that France remove its troops.

Even after its colonial rule ended, France kept a military presence in countries within the region and was most recently engaged in combatting Islamist extremists.

Once the French troops withdraw from Ivory Coast, Gabon and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa will be home to France’s only remaining military bases in Africa.