France has announced plans to close its permanent military bases in Senegal by the summer of 2025, marking a significant shift in its military presence across West and Central Africa. This move comes after similar decisions in other African nations, where France has increasingly faced calls for the withdrawal of its forces. According to reports from Senegalese media, a French military source confirmed that discussions are underway regarding the implementation of this withdrawal.
“We are currently in a phase of dialogue to facilitate the withdrawal of French forces from Senegal. What I can confirm is that by the summer of 2025, there will no longer be a permanent French military base in Senegal,” the source stated. This decision follows a broader trend of reducing France’s military footprint in the region, reflecting changing dynamics in its relations with African nations.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had previously expressed the country’s intention to phase out foreign military presence, affirming that this transition would occur by 2025. This move aligns with broader regional efforts to regain control over security matters, which have been under the influence of external powers for decades.
The closure of the Senegalese base is part of a larger pattern of military withdrawals by France across Africa. In 2022, French forces withdrew from Mali after being forced out due to political tensions and opposition from the Malian government. Similarly, in 2023, France withdrew its forces from Burkina Faso and Niger following requests from those countries’ authorities. More recently, in late November 2024, Chad announced the termination of its defense cooperation with France, prompting the beginning of troop withdrawals from the country.
France’s military presence in Africa dates back to the post-colonial era, with operations such as Operation Barkhane, launched in 2014 to combat terrorism in the Sahel region. However, in recent years, France’s military engagements have become increasingly controversial, with growing anti-French sentiment in many African countries. The decision to close bases in Senegal is viewed as another indication of the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region, as African nations seek greater autonomy over their defense and foreign policy decisions.
As France continues to scale back its military presence, the closure of its bases in Senegal symbolizes a pivotal moment in the changing security dynamics of West and Central Africa. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how these shifts will affect the broader security and political landscape in the region, as African nations navigate their relationships with former colonial powers and assert greater control over their national security.
