France begins withdrawal from Senegal by handing over two military bases

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.

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