By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

France officially concluded its permanent military presence in Senegal on Thursday, handing over its last two military facilities to Senegalese authorities in a move that marks a significant shift in post-colonial relations in West Africa. The handover signals the end of a continuous French military footprint in the region that has endured for decades.

The facilities transferred include Camp Geille, France’s largest military base in Senegal, and a crucial air facility located at Dakar’s airport. The formal ceremony in the Senegalese capital finalized a three-month withdrawal process that began in March, seeing the departure of approximately 350 French troops who had been stationed in the West African nation.

This pivotal development aligns directly with a key campaign promise made by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Elected earlier this year, President Faye had campaigned on a platform emphasizing national sovereignty and had explicitly called for all foreign troops to withdraw from Senegalese soil by 2025. The handover underscores a new chapter in the bilateral relationship, shifting towards greater Senegalese control over its security infrastructure.

The withdrawal from Senegal is also emblematic of a broader trend of diminishing French military influence across its former African colonies. In recent years, France has faced similar demands and executed withdrawals from countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Ivory Coast, reflecting a changing geopolitical landscape and growing calls for military autonomy on the continent.

While the permanent military presence concludes, France has indicated a strategic pivot towards a “partnership” model with its African allies, focusing on training, equipment, and targeted military support provided upon specific requests. With this latest handover, Djibouti now remains the only African nation where France maintains a permanent military base.