French and Ivorian defense ministers have signed an agreement to officially return a military base to Ivory Coast, shortly after the Ivorian flag was hoisted in the base’s parade ground. This withdrawal of French troops, initially announced by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in December, is part of a broader trend of African countries reassessing their military ties with France.
The entrance to the base now features watchtowers painted in the Ivorian national colors of orange, white, and green, although both French and Ivorian flags still fly. Effective February 20, the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion’s camp will be renamed Camp Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara, in honor of the Ivorian army’s first chief of staff. His portrait is set to be unveiled on the command post facade.
Although, Some 80-100 French troops will stay in the country to advise and train the Ivorian military, Tene Birahima Ouattara, the Ivorian defense and state minister, said at a news conference with the French minister of the armed forces.
“The world is changing and changing fast,” Ouattara said. “It’s clear that our defense relationship also had to evolve and be based more on future prospects in the face of the realities of threats and those of a world that has become complex in terms of security, and not on a defense relationship inspired by the past.
“France is transforming its presence. France is not disappearing,” he said.
Approximately 100 Ivorian paratroopers have been stationed at Port-Bouët for several weeks. “We engage in combat training and team-building activities with our French partners every day,” said Captain Ange Yoboue Kouame, who leads the parachute regiment.
Although this handover occurs amidst a trend of West African former French colonies loosening their military connections to France, both nations emphasized that their relationship remains strong. French troops who have long been on the ground have in recent years been kicked out of several West African countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Chad, considered France’s most stable and loyal partner in Africa.
“This act marks a new era in the friendship and strategic collaboration between our two countries,” stated Ivorian Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara.
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu commented that with a changing world, it is natural that the military relationship between the two countries should evolve. He described the base’s handover as a “historic moment,” reflecting a relationship built on friendship and professionalism. “The presence of France is changing but not disappearing,” he added.
Ouattara reassured France that military cooperation between the two countries would remain robust. A changing of the guard marked the transfer of security responsibilities to the Ivorian army during the ceremony.
In recent weeks, around 100 Ivorian paratroopers have moved into the camp, and joint exercises between the two armies have taken place. Approximately 1,000 French soldiers were previously deployed in Port-Bouet, assisting in the fight against jihadists who regularly launch attacks across the region.
Ivory Coast has maintained strong ties with France since its independence in 1960, despite a decade of crisis in the 2000s. Meanwhile, France is overhauling its military relations with African nations following the withdrawal of its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military-led governments hostile to Paris have come to power.
France has now been asked to leave more than 70% of African countries where it had a troop presence since ending its colonial rule. The French remain only in Djibouti, with 1,500 soldiers, and Gabon, with 350 troops.
In November, both Senegal and Chad announced plans to end France’s military presence in their countries. These governments have emphasized the importance of sovereignty and questioned the need for France’s continued presence.
After expelling French troops, military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso (also called the AES,) have moved closer to Russia, which has mercenaries deployed across the Sahel who have been accused of abuses against civilians.
The withdrawal of French troops from Ivory Coast will occur gradually over 2025, with around 80 French soldiers expected to remain for training and support missions. The French government is trying to revive its waning political and military influence on the continent by devising a new military strategy.
The French army is not ruling out “pooling” its bases with Americans or European partners, the chief of staff of France’s armed forces, General Thierry Burkhard had said.
The military links between France and Ivory Coast date back to a 1961 defense agreement signed shortly after independence. In 2002, following an attempted coup against then-president Laurent Gbagbo and a rebel takeover of part of the country, France established the Licorne (Unicorn) force to protect French nationals and stabilize the country.
In April 2011, this force, alongside the United Nations, conducted bombings on Gbagbo’s residence during a post-election crisis. The mission concluded in 2015.
