France has confirmed it will retain 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast, primarily for training activities. The announcement comes as France gradually reduces its military presence across West and Central Africa.
During a ceremony in Abidjan on Thursday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized that France is “not disappearing” from the region. The remaining personnel will form “the basis of a joint detachment,” he said, adding that their role will evolve according to the changing needs, particularly in training.
French forces have been stationed in Ivory Coast for decades, offering support to President Alassane Ouattara’s government following the 2011 political crisis. Their presence helped secure Ouattara’s position after his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat in the 2010 election.
In late November, reports indicated that France was contemplating reducing its military footprint in West and Central Africa. The planned reduction would cut troops from about 2,200 to just 600 across multiple countries, including Ivory Coast, amidst growing Russian influence in the region.
The French military withdrawal is part of a broader trend of disengagement. In December, France began pulling out its forces from Chad after the government there ended its defense cooperation pact. Additionally, France has already removed troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.
Despite these changes, Lecornu reassured the public that France remains committed to its partners in the region, with a focus on continued cooperation and support for local forces.
