Ivory Coast tells French Troops to Leave

West African nations are accelerating efforts to redefine their relationships with France, as a wave of troop withdrawals signals a significant transformation in the region’s engagement with its former colonial power. Ivory Coast is the latest country to announce the departure of French troops, following similar moves by Chad, Senegal, and other Sahel states.

This growing trend highlights the intensifying push for sovereignty across the continent, alongside shifting geopolitical alliances and rising anti-French sentiment.

Macron’s Comments Ignite Outrage in Africa

The recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that African nations were ungrateful for France’s military interventions against jihadist insurgencies, have further strained relations. Macron stated that no Sahelian country would remain sovereign without France’s actions to prevent militant takeovers.

“None of them would be a sovereign country today if the French army hadn’t deployed in the region,” Macron said at an ambassadors’ conference in Paris, lamenting the absence of acknowledgement for France’s efforts.

Chad and Senegal strongly rebuked these statements. Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, described Macron’s remarks as reflecting “a contemptuous attitude toward Africa.”

“French leaders must learn to respect the African people and recognise the value of their sacrifices,” he said on national television.

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, went further, accusing France of destabilising African nations like Libya, which he argued has had “disastrous consequences for regional security.”

Both leaders reminded France of the role African soldiers played in liberating France during the world wars, often under exploitative and oppressive conditions.

“Had African soldiers, sometimes forcibly mobilised, mistreated and ultimately betrayed, not been deployed during the Second World War to defend France, it would, perhaps still be German today,” Sonko said.

End of Decades-Long Military Ties

The wave of French troop expulsions signals a profound geopolitical shift. Ivory Coast announced it would begin the withdrawal of its 600 French troops in January 2025, with President Alassane Ouattara declaring the handover of the Port-Bouet military base to Ivorian forces.

“We can be proud of our army, whose modernization is now effective. It is in this context that we have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast,” Ouattara said during a New Year’s address.

Similar moves have unfolded across the region:

• Senegal announced the closure of French military bases by the end of the year, citing national sovereignty.
• Chad ended its defense agreement with France, calling it “time for Chad to assert its full sovereignty.”
• Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger expelled French troops after coups, signaling a broader rejection of France’s presence.

France, once a dominant military and political force in West and Central Africa, has now been ousted from more than 70% of the African countries where it had troops stationed post-independence.

Neo-Colonialism and Waning Influence

France’s military interventions in the Sahel began in 2013 with Operation Serval, aimed at countering Islamist insurgencies in Mali. The mission expanded into Operation Barkhane, encompassing Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. However, accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relationships have eroded France’s standing in the region.

Anti-French sentiment has grown, fueled by public discontent with perceived interference in African governance and limited progress against insurgencies. Coupled with historical grievances over colonial exploitation, these sentiments have driven a realignment of alliances.

Shifting Alliances: The Russian Factor

Following France’s withdrawal, several Sahelian nations, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have pivoted towards Russia. These countries have welcomed Wagner Group mercenaries, despite allegations of civilian abuses tied to their operations.

While Russia’s involvement has filled a security vacuum, the situation in these countries remains dire. Armed groups continue to expand their influence, and civilian casualties have risen in regions once patrolled by French forces.

A New Vision for Africa’s Sovereignty

The withdrawal of French troops reflects a broader aspiration for African nations to redefine their relationships with global powers. Countries like Chad and Senegal have articulated the need to prioritise national interests over long-standing ties with former colonial powers.

“This is about time for Africa to assert itself,” said Chad’s Foreign Minister Koulamallah. “Strategic partnerships must align with the priorities of our people, not the interests of external powers.”

Even Ivory Coast, one of France’s closest allies, appears to be recalibrating its relationship. Ouattara, however, emphasised that the withdrawal was a sign of progress rather than political rupture.

“These were all painful divorces occurring under pressure from nefarious folks, notably Russia,” said François Heisbourg, an adviser at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, a French think tank. “In Côte d’Ivoire, it’s a sign of normalisation and possibly even of success.”

What Lies Ahead

As France reduces its military footprint in Africa, it retains a presence in Djibouti and Gabon, but the era of widespread deployments appears to be over.

The transformation in Africa-France relations is part of a broader movement towards decolonisation in governance, security, and economics. These developments underscore Africa’s determination to chart its own course, free from the shadows of colonial-era dependencies.

For France, this marks a pivotal moment to rethink its approach and build a genuinely mutual partnership with African nations—one rooted in respect, equality, and shared interests.