France has officially begun its military withdrawal from Senegal, handing over two key facilities to the West African nation in a formal step towards ending its military presence. This move aligns with a broader regional shift away from France, as Senegal and its neighbors redefine their defense partnerships.
The French embassy in Senegal confirmed the transfer of the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry military quarters in Dakar to Senegalese authorities, marking the first phase of the planned troop withdrawal. A joint commission, established last month, is overseeing the process, which includes the full departure of France’s 350 troops by the end of 2025.
Senegal joins Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in severing military ties with France, with some nations opting for alternative defense partnerships, including with Russia. Similarly, France began pulling out troops from Chad in December after the country’s government ended its defense cooperation agreement.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had previously emphasized that foreign military bases were incompatible with national sovereignty, vowing to end all foreign military presence in the country. Further handovers of French military installations are expected in line with the agreed withdrawal timetable.
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