Côte d'Ivoire has announced that French troops will be withdrawn from the West African country, further reducing the former colonial power's military influence in the region, BBC reports, UNN writes.
Details
In his year-end address, President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire said that this step reflects the modernization of the country's armed forces.
Separately, Senegal, which announced last month that France would have to close its military bases on its territory, confirmed that the withdrawal will be completed by the end of 2025.
Côte d'Ivoire is home to the largest contingent of French troops remaining in West Africa. There are about 600 French troops in the country, 350 of which are stationed in Senegal.
"We have made a concerted decision to withdraw French troops from Côte d'Ivoire," President Ouattara said.
He added that the Port Boué military infantry battalion, which is run by the French army, will be handed over to Ivorian troops.
France, whose colonial rule in West Africa ended in the 1960s, has already withdrawn its soldiers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after military coups in these countries and the rise of anti-French sentiment.
In November, the government of Chad, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region, suddenly terminated a defense cooperation agreement with France.
Senegalese President Basirou Dioumaye Faye said: "I have instructed the Minister of the Armed Forces to propose a new doctrine of defense and security cooperation, which, among other things, provides for the termination of all foreign military presence in Senegal from 2025.
France will maintain a small presence in Gabon.
The military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have become closer to Russia after expelling French troops from their countries, the publication notes.
Russia then reportedly deployed mercenaries throughout the Sahel to help fight off jihadist rebels.
There are signs that France now has fewer than 2,000 soldiers in Djibouti and Gabon.
Political observers believe that France is making efforts to revive its weakening political and military influence in Africa.