France Completes Withdrawal Of Troops From Senegal, Ending 65-Year Military Presence.
France has formally concluded its military presence in Senegal, marking the end of a 65-year chapter with the handover of its final two bases in the West African nation. The withdrawal, completed on July 17, 2025, in a ceremonial transfer in Dakar, signals a significant shift in Franco-Senegalese relations and reflects a broader regional trend of former colonies asserting greater sovereignty.
The handover of Camp Geille, France’s largest military base in Senegal, and its airfield at Dakar airport was overseen by top officials, including Senegal’s Chief of General Staff, General Mbaye Cissé, and General Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa. Approximately 350 French soldiers, previously engaged in joint operations with the Senegalese army, have now departed, concluding a three-month withdrawal process that began in March. General Cissé described the event as “an important turning point in the rich and long military journey of our two countries,” emphasising Senegal’s pursuit of strategic autonomy.
The decision stems from a directive by Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who, after his landslide victory in the 2024 elections, demanded the removal of all foreign troops by the end of 2025. Elected on a platform of radical reform and national self-sufficiency, Faye declared that Senegal’s sovereignty was “incompatible with the presence of foreign military bases.” Unlike military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have also expelled French forces, Senegal’s move comes from a democratically elected leader, highlighting a growing regional sentiment against foreign military presence.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Senegal has been one of France’s closest allies in West Africa, hosting French troops under longstanding defence agreements. However, Faye’s administration has sought to redefine this relationship, treating France as an equal partner rather than a dominant force. “Senegal is an independent, sovereign country,” Faye reiterated in late 2024, while stressing that France remains an important partner for trade and development. He has also called for Paris to apologise for colonial-era atrocities, including the 1944 Thiaroye massacre of African soldiers who fought for France in World War II.
The withdrawal aligns with a broader retreat of French forces from West and Central Africa, following similar exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Ivory Coast in recent years. The Sahel region, plagued by a growing jihadist insurgency, has seen increased instability, with recent attacks in Mali near Senegal’s border underscoring the security challenges ahead. Critics argue that decades of French military intervention have failed to curb violence, prompting nations like Senegal to seek greater control over their security. Some analysts warn that the departure of French troops could create a vacuum, but others see it as an opportunity for African nations to forge new partnerships, potentially with countries like China, Turkey, or Russia.
France has announced plans to scale back its military footprint across Africa, with Djibouti set to host its only permanent base, housing around 1,500 troops, as the new hub for its African operations. General Ianni stated that Paris is “reinventing partnerships in a dynamic Africa,” suggesting a shift towards targeted defence training and cooperation based on host nations’ needs.
Public sentiment in Senegal has largely welcomed the move, with many viewing it as a bold step towards true sovereignty. “Why give them our land? They’ve brought us nothing,” one Dakar resident remarked, echoing sentiments shared on social media. The government is also pursuing broader decolonisation efforts, including plans to replace the CFA franc with a national currency and rename colonial-era landmarks.
As Senegal charts a new path, the withdrawal marks a historic moment in its post-colonial journey, redefining its relationship with France and reinforcing its commitment to self-determination. Both nations have expressed intentions to maintain cooperation in non-military areas, such as education and economic development, as Senegal seeks to assert its place in a rapidly changing global landscape.
