France ends permanent military presence in Senegal and West and Central Africa

Thursday 17 July 2025 - 16:53

On July 17, 2025, France officially ended its permanent military presence in Senegal during a historic transfer ceremony held in Dakar. The French military handed over its two final installations: Camp Geille, the country’s largest French military base, and the military air support unit at Dakar airport.

This withdrawal marks a significant shift in French defence policy across West and Central Africa, where military bases in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon have already been dismantled or restructured since 2022.

Camp Geille, located in Dakar’s Ouakam district, has served as the joint command post and regional cooperation hub. The French “Elements in Senegal” (EFS) force of approximately 350 personnel was dedicated to regional cooperation and training alongside the Senegalese Armed Forces.

General Mbaye Cissé, Senegal’s chief of general staff, described the ceremony as a milestone in the long-standing military relationship between the two nations. He emphasized that discussions took place in a spirit of “friendly and fraternal” understanding and announced new strategic objectives aimed at strengthening Senegal’s path toward strategic autonomy.

General Pascal Ianni, commander of France’s forces in Africa, affirmed the deep historic ties: “French military presence in Senegal dates back over two centuries,” including colonial-era origins. He stated the withdrawal is part of a “structural change” reflecting France’s evolving partnerships in a dynamic Africa, one which he said no longer requires permanent bases.

The withdrawal initiative responds to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s agenda, introduced in April 2024, to treat France as an equal partner and affirm Senegal’s sovereignty. Faye had pledged in November 2024 to end all foreign military presences on Senegalese soil—calling for a “renewed partnership,” not a rupture.

Despite current jihadist threats in the Sahel near Senegal’s borders, both countries stressed the continuation of security cooperation through non-basing arrangements and joint military exercises—albeit now with a focus on empowering Senegalese forces.

France retains a strategic military base in Djibouti, hosting around 1,500 personnel, which it plans to use as an operational hub for future African missions following the full Sahel withdrawal.