France Begins Military Withdrawal from Senegal, Hands Over Bases

France has begun its military withdrawal from Senegal, transferring control of two military facilities to Senegalese authorities on Friday. The move follows President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s decision to remove foreign troops from the country.

The French Embassy in Senegal confirmed in a statement that the handover involved facilities in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts near Hann Park in Dakar. According to the embassy, these areas had been prepared for return since mid-2024.

A joint commission between France and Senegal, established last month, is overseeing the withdrawal process. The French military has also dismissed 162 Senegalese personnel employed at its bases in Dakar. The French Embassy did not disclose the number of remaining troops in the country.

The withdrawal comes amid growing efforts by several West African nations to reassess military agreements with France. In recent years, French forces have also been asked to leave Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso following policy shifts by their governments.

France has announced plans to reduce its military presence across Africa, except in Djibouti. Officials have stated that future cooperation may focus on defense training and advisory roles based on requests from individual countries.