French troops are set to begin their withdrawal from Ivory Coast, as announced by the country’s President, Alassane Ouattara, during his New Year address.
In the televised speech, Ouattara stated, “We have decided on a coordinated and organized withdrawal of French troops.”
The withdrawal is scheduled to commence in January. The president also mentioned plans to modernize the Ivorian army. Consequently, the French naval infantry battalion currently stationed in Port Bouet will be handed over to the Ivorian forces.
At present, around 600 French soldiers are stationed in Ivory Coast. Additionally, several West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have previously urged France to withdraw its troops.
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France maintained a military presence in countries in the region even after the end of its colonial rule, being most recently involved in the fight against Islamist extremists.
When the French troops leave the Ivory Coast, the only remaining French military bases in Africa will be in Gabon and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.
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