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Côte d’Ivoire Announces Withdrawal of French Forces, Set for January Departure

Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed that French forces stationed in the country will begin their withdrawal starting January 2025. This move marks another significant shift in military relations between African nations and France, as the West African country joins a growing list of nations redefining ties with the former colonial power.

French Troops to Hand Over Abidjan Base

Speaking during a national broadcast on Tuesday, President Ouattara announced the decision to transfer the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA) base in Port-Bouët, Abidjan, to Côte d’Ivoire’s armed forces.

"We can be proud of our army, whose modernization is now effective," Ouattara stated. "It is in this context that we have decided on the concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast."

The move will see about 1,000 French soldiers, who have been assisting with counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region and parts of the Gulf of Guinea, leave the country.

A Broader African Trend

Côte d’Ivoire’s decision follows similar announcements by Senegal and Chad, which declared the departure of French troops from their territories last month. France also returned a military base to Chad on December 26, marking the latest in its phased withdrawal from African nations that have sought to distance themselves from French military presence.

This comes amid the forced departures of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years, as governments critical of France's influence rise to power across the continent.

Presidential Elections Promised to Be Peaceful

As Côte d’Ivoire transitions away from hosting French forces, President Ouattara also emphasized his commitment to ensuring a peaceful and democratic presidential election scheduled for October 2025.

"The upcoming elections will be peaceful, transparent, and democratic," he assured citizens during his address.

A New Chapter in Regional Security

The withdrawal of French forces signifies a shift in Côte d’Ivoire's approach to national and regional security. While France has historically supported counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, Ouattara’s remarks highlighted confidence in the country’s armed forces to take charge of security operations.

Observers note that this development underscores a broader trend of African nations asserting greater autonomy in military and political affairs, marking a new chapter in post-colonial relations with France.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

Wow! France is fast losing face in West Africa.
But I know they won't bow out without a fight.
I expect them to re-activate ISIS/Jihad in West Africa.

This french guys are not joking with France any longer....

I wonder if they'll abandon the CFA currency.

Africa is waking up.... putting an end to Colonial rule and exploitation. Good move...kick them out...but they will gang up and try to make a mess of the country. France depends on the resources of these African countries for its survival. They will try their best to unseat the Government and install a puppet. In the mean time....they will be looking for new countries to plunder ...so why not the Giant of Africa ...with a spineless leader ?

These people will not bow out without a fight. Unfortunately they always use extremists as tools to terrorize Africa and justify the invasion of their military on Africa's soil.

All they care about are our resources. Without our mineral and human resources, europe and America will become third world countries.

Well done Ivory Coast.

Kikiki very good

Blue3k:
I wonder if they'll abandon the CFA currency.

That one will lead to war. France no go gree
But the funny thing is that France itself has since abandoned CFA in favour of Euro

France is gradually losing grip on her former colonies.

No way any African will support the influence of France, China, World Bank, IMF, India and other power players on African continent..,,.. But,
Hope all this countries expelling France here and their are ready for the shocker because France will not just sit by and see its influence and grip crumble in the continent.
Niger Republic suspecting Nigeria of collaborating with France to destabilise their country is a precautionary step just incase.
They know France will fight back so they need a quick alliance with a super power. They chose Russia but Russia have its own personal problems. Asad Syria learn in the hard way.
A formidable Africa is the answer. Africa with one voice.
Super powers come together under Economic alliance like EU or under military alliance like NATO.
We have ECOMOG and ECOWAS but they are not independent, they're been dictated to by other super power on what and what not to do.
Africa need to wakeup.

[color=#1986BC] Because France are not a world super power that's why....we dare ivory coast to opt out of CFA and watch France turn their economy to dog sh*t. [/color]

Hmmm

Na only Nigeria day allow these people come close.

While mumu Tinubu wants bring them to Nigeria...

If no be Ozwor wetin Tinubu be again

Let them come to Nigeria, we'll give em shelter

FuckYeyeMods:
Hope they're prepare for the shock.

Which shock? I pay you dividends of being a colonial master , what do I get on return? Sending me to French Legion to meet up with nations at war to die. That's the only visa you gimme. Then when I say I want to manage my business, you speak of Shock? You know wetin you day talk so?

Lol. Okay!

Nice. Africa needs to free itself from neo-colonialists. This same France everyone is kicking out, is the one our agbado is romancing.

You become a slave when people have Intel on you. All his medical data is in the hands of the French. One injection and they can finish him.

They are welcome to Nigeria , we will offer them 600 million barrels of crude for free

FuckYeyeMods:
Hope they're prepare for the shock.

Who is this again

Nice one

Good news

It seems to me as if these Francophone countries don’t really like the French, they see France as a major part of their problem

In this case, ECOWAS must show understanding and support its own people

Same french that Tinubu is calling friends of the country?

The former French colonies in africa are beginning to free themselves from French encumbrances. France proclaimed them free without giving them the freedom. That's the only way the British was better. It's high time France realised that her greed to hold on to African resources won't last for long. They need to hands off African affairs.

Same France Tinubu is romancing

Africa is getting independent completely...
Gradually

Let's wait till a year from now to see the effect. I don't trust politicians anywhere