France has officially started handing over its military bases in Senegal, marking the first step in a complete withdrawal of its forces from the West African nation.
On Friday, two military facilities in Dakar were transferred to Senegalese control, with the remaining bases set to follow by the end of 2025. This move reflects a broader trend of West African nations distancing themselves from their former colonial ruler. France had previously announced its intention to work with Senegal on an orderly withdrawal.
The shift comes amid growing regional efforts to assert greater sovereignty over military and security affairs.
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It's about time France started pulling out of Senegal. Former colonial powers shouldn't still have military bases in African nations decades after independence. This withdrawal is a step in the right direction for Senegal’s sovereignty and self-determination. Too often, Western nations justify their military presence under the guise of "security cooperation" when it's really about maintaining influence. Hopefully, this encourages other African nations to take full control of their own security policies. France should focus on repairing past harms instead of clinging to outdated power dynamics.
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France begins handover of military bases to Senegal
France said earlier this year it was working with Senegal to organize the withdrawal of French troops. The embassy said facilities in certain districts of the capital had been transferred to Senegalese control.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
France begins military base handover to Senegal
France handed over two military facilities to Senegal on Friday, the French embassy said, the first formal step in ending French military presence in the West African country as the region shifts away from the former coloniser.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
France begins handover of army bases to Senegal
France on Friday said it had transferred two military bases in the Marechal and Saint-Exubery districts of Dakar to Senegalese control. It was the first step to a complete withdrawal of French soldiers and the return of the sites by the end of 2025.
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