France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to about 600 troops, following President Emmanuel Macron’s aim to minimize the French military’s footprint in the region, according to three sources speaking to AFP.
In February 2023, Macron announced a significant reduction in French troops in Africa due to growing anti-French sentiment and increasing influence from countries like Russia.
As part of a plan being discussed with African partners, France intends to significantly cut down its “pre-positioned” forces in Africa.
Sources close to the government and military indicate that France will reduce its troops in Gabon to about 100 from 350, and in Senegal to about 100 from 350. In Ivory Coast, the number will drop to around 100 from 600, and in Chad to around 300 from 1,000.
This reduced presence could be increased as needed, the sources said. The French General Staff declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Two years ago, France had around 1,600 pre-deployed forces in West Africa and Gabon, in addition to over 5,000 troops in the Sahel region as part of the Barkhane operation against jihadists. However, they have been gradually pushed out by new military governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have since formed security agreements with Russia.
Chad, led by Mahamat Idriss Deby, remains the last Sahel country hosting French soldiers.
Macron assigned former minister Jean-Marie Bockel to develop a new strategy for the French military presence with African partners, with results expected in July. Bockel mentioned that France aims to reduce its visible presence while maintaining logistical and operational support in these countries.
The French army plans to set up an Africa-focused command in Paris this summer, possibly sharing bases with American or European partners. This new structure will focus on maintaining relationships with local military authorities, gathering intelligence, and providing training and support at the request of partner countries.
In Ivory Coast, the number of French troops has already decreased from 900 to 600. Similarly, the military presence in Senegal is shrinking under the new left-wing president Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who emphasizes national sovereignty. Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko stated that the country’s independence is incompatible with the entrenched presence of foreign military bases, though existing defense agreements remain intact.
The French base in Djibouti, home to 1,500 troops, will not be affected by these reductions, as France seeks to maintain a strategic presence at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial route for global trade.
