France and Senegal have agreed on a framework for the complete withdrawal of French troops from Senegal by the end of 2025. The withdrawal is aimed at reasserting national sovereignty and redefining bilateral security ties. According to both countries’ foreign ministries, a joint commission will oversee the phased departure of French military elements and the restitution of bases, marking a transition toward a new defense partnership that aligns with both nations’ strategic priorities. This decision follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s assertion that the presence of French military bases in Senegal is incompatible with the country’s sovereignty. The move reflects a broader regional trend in West and Central Africa to reassess colonial ties with France, further underscored by recent troop withdrawals from Chad and Ivory Coast.
Source: Aljazeera