KEY POINTS
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France has officially handed over its last military bases in Senegal, ending a 65-year presence.
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President Faye emphasized Senegal’s sovereignty and called for an equal partnership with France.
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The move reflects a broader African trend of asserting independence from former colonial powers.
France has formally concluded its military presence in Senegal, returning its last two bases—Camp Geille and the airfield at Dakar airport—to the West African nation in a ceremony held on July 17, 2025.
The move marks the end of a 65-year chapter of continuous French military deployment in Senegal, underscoring a broader wave of African countries asserting national sovereignty and distancing themselves from former colonial powers.
The handover ceremony was attended by Senegal’s Chief of General Staff, General Mbaye Cisse, and General Pascal Ianni, the head of French forces in Africa. Around 350 French troops, previously stationed in Senegal to conduct joint operations with the national military, are now completing their withdrawal, wrapping up a phased exit that began in March.
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” President Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated at the end of 2024, following his election victory that promised a radical shift in the nation’s foreign relations. He added that “France remains an important partner for Senegal,” but should be treated as an equal rather than a patron.
From ally to equal partner—Faye’s shift reshapes Senegal-France relations
Unlike recent confrontational exits of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—nations that have witnessed military coups and rising Russian influence—Senegal’s disengagement has been conducted diplomatically. President Faye emphasized that while military bases would be removed, cooperation with France in areas of mutual interest would continue.
Faye’s stance aligns with a growing sentiment across the African continent, where questions of post-colonial influence and sovereignty are reshaping international alliances. His call for France to apologize for colonial atrocities, including the 1944 massacre of African soldiers who fought for France during World War II, further signals his administration’s commitment to historical justice and national dignity.
After gaining independence from France in 1960, Senegal maintained one of the closest military partnerships with Paris among West African states. Former President Macky Sall upheld this legacy, allowing French troops continued access to military facilities. However, Faye’s administration is charting a new course—one that prioritizes self-sufficiency and redefined diplomatic relationships.
Across the continent, France’s military footprint has been shrinking. In early 2025, French troops exited their last base in Côte d’Ivoire, while in Chad, the Kossei base—France’s last outpost in the Sahel—was handed over in January. The Central African Republic and Gabon have also moved toward reducing or reconfiguring French military operations.
Now, Djibouti remains the only African country hosting a permanent French base, which will serve as Paris’s main military headquarters on the continent. The shift marks a significant recalibration in France’s Africa policy as more countries prioritize regional security strategies independent of foreign military oversight.
