French troops have been stationed in Senegal since the country gained independence in 1960, but that presence has now officially come to an end. On Thursday, France handed over its last two military facilities in Senegal, marking the close of its permanent military role in the West African nation.
The transfer included Camp Geille, the largest French military base in Senegal located in the capital, Dakar, and a French air detachment facility at Dakar’s international airport. The handover ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Mbaye Cisse, Chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, and Pascal Ianni, the commander of French forces in Africa.
During the ceremony, Ianni confirmed that the handover of Camp Geille signified the end of France’s permanent military presence in Senegal. However, he noted that the event also marks the start of a new chapter in military cooperation between the two countries.
Senegal’s top military officer, Cisse, emphasized that Senegal is now working on a new defence and security cooperation plan. He said the goal is to support the independent development of Senegal’s own military capabilities. Cisse added that any future cooperation with France must be based on the political will of both nations and should reflect greater respect for Senegal’s sovereignty.
The move follows a growing regional trend. On December 31, 2024, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called for the withdrawal of French troops during his New Year’s address. His statement echoed sentiments already expressed by other African leaders across the continent.
In recent years, several countries in West and Central Africa—including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Côte d'Ivoire—have also demanded the withdrawal of French or U.S. military forces from their territories. These countries have increasingly called for a shift toward more independent defence strategies and a reevaluation of long-standing military partnerships with foreign powers.
While France has maintained that its military presence aimed to support regional stability, the changing political climate in Africa has led to a rethinking of what that support should look like. For Senegal, the handover signals a significant moment of national autonomy and a new phase in its defence policy.
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