International Desk (EFE).- France officially ended 65 years of permanent military presence in Senegal on Thursday with a symbolic handover of its last two military bases in Dakar; while the withdrawal marks a significant geopolitical shift, both nations emphasized that military cooperation will continue.
The final departure included the transfer of the Colonel Frédéric Geille base in Ouakam and a military installation at Dakar’s international airport.
A ceremony attended by top military officials from both countries marked the closure of one of France’s last permanent military footprints in West Africa.
“Our two armies understand the responsibility of writing a new chapter together,” said General Mbaye Cissé, Chief of Staff of Senegal’s Armed Forces, during the ceremony.
“We are committed to building an effective, balanced partnership based on mutual respect and sovereignty,” he added.
End of an era
The French withdrawal concludes a longstanding presence that began shortly after Senegal’s independence in 1960.
Over the past two years, France has already returned several military sites in Dakar, including the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry facilities in March, the Admiral Protest barracks in May, and a naval transmission station in Rufisque on Jul. 1.
According to Senegal’s Ministry of Armed Forces, Thursday’s event “marked the final restitution of French bases.”
Although the Elements Français au Sénégal (EFS) are now fully withdrawn, the move does not signify a rupture in ties. Instead, it reflects a redefinition of bilateral military cooperation under terms more aligned with Senegal’s national sovereignty.
“Proud of their heritage and faithful to their principles, Senegalese forces are determined to pursue training, instruction, and high-value partnerships,” Cissé added.
French forces in Senegal numbered about 1,200 in 2010 but had gradually declined to roughly 250 by early 2025, as Senegal progressively reasserted control over its defense strategy.
The drawdown followed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s 2024 announcement to end the French military presence by Sep. 2025.
Regional trend of French withdrawals
The exit from Senegal is part of a broader pattern of French military retreats across West Africa, where anti-French sentiment has surged amid growing criticism of neocolonial influence.
French troops have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years, all countries now governed by military juntas.
Chad and Côte d’Ivoire also regained control of French military bases earlier this year, reflecting a regional trend toward military autonomy and the diversification of defense partnerships.
“This is a symbolic gesture equivalent to closing a neocolonial cycle,” Babacar Socrate Diallo, Director of Dakar’s Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (CEDS), told EFE.
“It’s a measured shift that allows Senegal to redefine its autonomy without isolation, and France to exist without dominance,” the director added.
Analysts note that the change does not leave Senegal vulnerable.
Defense expert Hamidou Samba Ba emphasized that the country maintains other strategic partnerships.
“Senegal has defense agreements with powers like the US and Turkey,” Ba said. “The French withdrawal doesn’t imply security weakness or geopolitical rupture.”
Toward a new strategic framework
Both experts and government officials view the transition as a pivot to more equitable and diversified international engagement.
Senegal’s new leadership has signaled interest in boosting local defense industries and expanding its network of military partnerships.
“Nothing prevents Senegal from broadening its defense cooperation with other countries as part of its strategic autonomy,” said Diallo. “This is an opportunity to build sovereign capabilities.”
Ba added that the evolving relationship with France will depend on future political leadership.
“Franco-Senegalese relations have always adapted to the regime in place,” he noted. “The military presence was a colonial-era symbol, and breaking with that symbol is part of shaping a new national narrative.”
As the last French troops leave Ouakam, the smell of café touba still fills the streets, but the era of daily interactions with French soldiers has come to a close. EFE
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