France has initiated its formal withdrawal process from Senegal by transferring control of two military facilities to the Senegalese government, according to a statement from the French Embassy in Senegal.
The handover, which took place in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts near Hann Park, marks a significant step in Paris’s efforts to reduce its military presence in West Africa.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had ordered the departure of all foreign troops from the country late last year, a move reflecting the new government’s hard-line stance against the lingering legacy of colonial influence. “The French side handed over to the Senegalese side the facilities and housing in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts on Friday, March 7, 2025,” the embassy said in its statement, noting that these districts had been ready for return since the summer of 2024.
In recent months, Paris has been working closely with Dakar, establishing a joint commission last month to coordinate the withdrawal process. The move comes amid broader regional trends, as several African nations—including Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso—have also taken steps to reduce or expel French military forces.
The French army recently announced the dismissal of 162 Senegalese personnel who worked on its military bases, underscoring the deepening recalibration of France’s role on the continent. Paris has stated its intention to sharply reduce its military footprint in Africa, maintaining a notable presence only in Djibouti, while offering defense training or targeted support based on individual country needs.
This development is part of an ongoing reassessment of foreign military engagement in Africa, as governments in the region push back against what they view as an overbearing colonial legacy and call for greater national sovereignty over security affairs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping, to attend a regional security summit, and to appe...
U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled Secret Service protection for Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Kamala Harris acc...
Georgia’s ruling party is pointing to recent remarks by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power as evidence that U.S. aid programs are used to inf...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in 2025, with millions of returni...
A woman pinned beneath concrete, a man with a badly broken leg, a child trapped under the rubble....
Britain, France and Germany are likely to trigger United Nations sanctions on Iran on Thursday over its nuclear programme according to sources, while giving Tehran 30 days to make commitments. Inspectors have returned for the first time since June, as talks have yet to yield concrete agreements.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 28th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Business leaders in France have expressed concern over the economic impact of the ongoing crisis in government triggering fears of a recession.
France’s minority government looks increasingly likely to be ousted next month after three main opposition parties said they would not back a confidence vote which Prime Minister François Bayrou announced for 8 September over his plans for sweeping €44 billion budget cuts.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping, to attend a regional security summit, and to appear as Xi’s “main guest” at a military parade on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Kremlin announced on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled Secret Service protection for Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Kamala Harris according to a senior White House official.
Georgia’s ruling party is pointing to recent remarks by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power as evidence that U.S. aid programs are used to influence political regimes abroad. The comments, made during a prank interview, have fueled debate in Tbilisi over sovereignty, NGOs, and foreign funding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in 2025, with millions of returning refugees expected to stretch the country’s already fragile health system.
A woman pinned beneath concrete, a man with a badly broken leg, a child trapped under the rubble.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment