France has begun transferring military bases in Senegal to local authorities, marking the end of a decades-long troop presence in the West African nation. The withdrawal follows similar moves in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Ivory Coast. It was initiated by Senegal’s new government, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as part of efforts to reduce French military influence in the country. Faye, a pan-Africanist leader, rose to power on an agenda of change and national self-sufficiency, and this move is seen as a step towards fulfilling that goal. A joint commission between France and Senegal is overseeing the transition, with local military staff facing job losses by July 1. The withdrawal reflects shifting regional dynamics as former French colonies assert greater autonomy.
Source: France 24
