Senegal and France have agreed to establish a joint commission to oversee the withdrawal of French troops and the handover of French military bases by the end of 2025, according to a joint statement from their foreign ministers on Wednesday.
“The two nations aim to develop a new defence and security partnership that aligns with the strategic priorities of both sides,” the statement added.
Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the presence of French troops, calling it counterproductive to the country’s sovereignty.
“Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” the Senegalese president stated.
“France remains an important partner for Senegal for the investment for Senegal and the presence of French companies and even French citizens who are in Senegal,” Faye stated.
Faye also pointed to Senegal’s strong commercial relationship with China, stressing that despite being the country’s largest trading partner, China does not demand a military presence.
“Today, China is our largest trading partner in terms of investment and trade. Does China have a military presence in Senegal? No. Does that mean our relations are cut? No,” he added.
The shift away from France’s influence
For decades, French military bases in Africa were pillars of strategic influence, extending Paris’ reach beyond its borders. With over 2,000 troops stationed in Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Chad, Senegal, and Djibouti, France relied on these agreements to maintain its geopolitical presence.
However, a wave of anti-colonial sentiment and growing frustration with France’s role in regional affairs has led at least six African nations to take steps toward ending French military and political influence within their borders.
As French troops have been expelled, military juntas in several countries have increasingly turned to Russia for support, welcoming Russian mercenaries into the Sahel region to fill the security void.
