France Closes Last Military Bases in Senegal, Ending West African Presence

End of an Era in West Africa

• 🇫🇷 France has formally handed over its last military bases in Senegal, marking the end of a 65-year military presence in the country.
• 🗓️ This withdrawal from Camp Jer signifies the conclusion of France's military footprint in West and Central Africa, a presence that began in 1960, the year Senegal gained independence.

Historical Military Engagements

• 🤝 Following decolonization, France established defense agreements with nations like Ivory Coast and Senegal to support new governments and train their forces.
• 📈 By 1970, France maintained 20,000 soldiers across Africa, earning the nickname "Africa's policemen" due to over 90 military operations since 1959.
• ⚔️ Operations ranged from defensive missions to direct interventions, such as the 2011 intervention in Ivory Coast and Operation Barkhane (2014-2022) which aimed to prevent a jihadist takeover in Mali.

Shifting Dynamics and Withdrawals

• 📉 French forces faced increasing pressure, leading to withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups.
• 🗣️ Public opinion across the continent increasingly rejected French military bases, viewing them as relics of colonial influence.
• 🌍 Chad ended its military partnership in 2024, Ivory Coast requested the return of its land, and Gabon's base in Libreville became a shared site.

Remaining Presence

• 📍 With the closure of Camp Jer in Senegal, France's permanent military footprint in West and Central Africa has concluded.
• 🌍 The only remaining French military base on the continent is now in Djibouti, housing 1,500 troops.