French Military Withdraws from Last Base in Senegal
France has officially handed over its two remaining military bases in Senegal, leaving the one-time colonial power with no permanent presence in West Africa.
The largest Military Camp Geille and the Airfield at Dakar have been officially presented to the Senegalese national armed forces.
This final handover was conducted during a ceremony on Thursday, attended by the top French and Senegalese officers, including the West African country's military chief Mbaye Cisse.
Cisse said that this withdrawal supports the country's new defence strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion and Africa,' he affirmed.
This mutually agreed upon withdrawal is designed to begin a new phase of French–Senegalese bilateral relations, argued General Pascal Innai, head of the French forces.
This handover follows a three-month withdrawal process which has taken place since March, with the removal of 350 French military troops from their bases they have controlled since granting their former African colonies independence in 1960.
The new Senegalese President who was elected on a substantial mandate in 2024, stated shortly after taking office that having troops and military bases in Senegal was incompatible with national sovereignty.
Senegal's new government took a hard line against the presence of French troops, coming within a broader regional backlash against the former colonial nation.
France also withdrew earlier this year from its permanent bases in Chad and the Ivory Coast. The governments in the new Alliance of Sahel States have expelled the French both militarily and diplomatically.
France will retain a small presence in some of these countries for the purposes of providing defense training and support to national militaries.
But whatever form France's presence takes in Africa in the coming years, this withdrawal marks the formal end of Paris's neo-colonialist military presence within the West African region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Trump's Africa Advisor Massad Boulos to Make Key Morocco Visit
Marrakech – Massad Boulos, special advisor to US President Donald Trump for Africa, will reportedly embark on a diplomatic tour of the Maghreb region within the next few days with Morocco as a central destination, according to The Geopolitical Desk media platform. High-level diplomatic sources revealed that this visit forms part of a broader US initiative to redefine its engagement in North Africa and the Sahel. The diplomatic mission prioritizes conflict resolution and promotes a 'commerce rather than aid' doctrine as Washington repositions its strategy on the African continent. The upcoming tour will focus on high-level consultations designed to establish the groundwork for future peace initiatives. This follows several months of sustained but discreet diplomatic contacts with key regional political actors, according to the sources. Boulos has previously distinguished himself as a special envoy in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, where his diplomatic efforts helped unblock previously stalled negotiations. He now faces more complex political challenges in Libya and Sudan. This initiative builds on momentum from a recent White House meeting with five African heads of state, during which President Trump declared that his administration would spearhead peace efforts in Libya and Sudan, marking a clear break from previous approaches. The Moroccan leg of the tour is considered particularly important. According to anonymous diplomatic sources, the selection of Morocco as an anchor point demonstrates a willingness to engage partners considered pivotal in regional balances. Morocco, whose diplomatic position has strengthened in recent years, is viewed in Washington as a partner capable of supporting regional dialogue. This confidence stems from the extensive US-Moroccan security exchanges and Rabat's active participation in multilateral forums such as the African Union (AU) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Boulos tossed a match, then raced to grab water In April, Boulos ignited a diplomatic firestorm with a series of ill-conceived statements that momentarily threatened to undermine Morocco's territorial sovereignty. During his interview with Al-Hadath channel, Boulos erroneously claimed that President Trump's December 10, 2020 proclamation 'was not absolute, but left the door open for a solution that satisfies all parties' – a catastrophic mischaracterization that directly contradicted established US policy. Even more provocatively, Boulos parroted the discredited Algerian regime's narrative by referencing '200,000 Sahrawi refugees living in Algeria still waiting for a definitive solution' – an inflated figure that lacks any credible verification and serves only to legitimize Algeria's obstruction of UN-mandated census efforts. These statements represented a dangerous deviation from the official position outlined in the State Department's declaration following the April 8 meeting between Secretary Marco Rubio and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita – a statement that unequivocally reaffirmed Washington's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty. Recognizing the geopolitical damage of his misstatements, Boulos executed a rapid about-face. Within hours, he published a post on his X account reasserting the US administration's unwavering support for Morocco's territorial integrity. This was followed by an expeditious phone interview with Medi 1 TV less than 24 hours after the Al-Hadath debacle, where he forcefully clarified that the Trump administration considers Morocco's autonomy proposal the only legitimate framework for resolving the artificial dispute. Political analysts noted that Boulos's initial remarks bore the unmistakable imprint of Algeria's increasingly desperate propaganda machine – a failing narrative designed to falsely portray Algeria as a neutral observer rather than the primary architect and sustainer of the moribund separatist movement. His uncritical repetition of the 200,000 refugee figure particularly alarmed regional experts, as it lent undeserved credibility to Algeria's systematic exploitation of the humanitarian situation. This figure stands in stark contrast to Morocco's assessment that the actual population does not exceed 60,000 individuals – many of whom have no genuine connection to the Moroccan Sahara, according to historical CIA intelligence reports. Algeria's decades-long refusal to permit a proper census of the Tindouf camps reveals its fundamental insecurity about the demographic reality that would undermine its carefully constructed geopolitical fiction. The regime continues to weaponize inflated population figures to maximize international aid – much of which is systematically misappropriated according to the European Anti-Fraud Office's damning 2015 report. The swift intervention following Boulos's missteps demonstrates the Trump administration's firm commitment to a definitive resolution based on Morocco's Autonomy Plan – not as a negotiating starting point but as the ultimate geopolitical endgame that will finally dismantle Algeria's anachronistic regional destabilization project. This decisive correction signals Washington's growing recognition that Algeria – not its proxy organization – constitutes the true obstacle to regional stability and integration. For Algiers, this represents an unprecedented diplomatic challenge: never before has it confronted a US administration so determined to bring this manufactured dispute to a conclusion that fully safeguards Morocco's legitimate sovereignty over its southern provinces. The Trump administration is expected to present a new draft resolution on Western Sahara to UN Security Council members by late October – a text that will likely further isolate the increasingly marginalized separatist position and accelerate the international community's embrace of Morocco's sovereignty. As Washington considers a diplomatic return to the region, the success of Boulos's Maghreb tour in generating major momentum in these long-paralyzed peace processes will be decisive.
Ya Biladi
19 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
French firefighter of Moroccan origin battles systemic racism in public service
Mohamed El Mimouni has spent the past 25 years in service to others. Since 1997, this Frenchman of Moroccan descent has volunteered tirelessly, but despite his dedication, he has been dismissed twice from the fire brigade. Not because of a lack of commitment, but, as Mediapart reports, because he dared to speak out about the discrimination he experienced. «There will be no Arab in my fire station», a station chief in Orne once said. El Mimouni eventually secured a position there after challenging the decision. In 2018, his wife created a Facebook page titled Moi, Momo, je dénonce to draw attention to the racism he faced. Two years later, that public exposure came at a cost: his contract was not renewed. However, in 2022, a court ruled in his favor and ordered his reinstatement. After relocating to the Hautes-Pyrénées, he applied to join the Lourdes fire station. He passed the interview and met all the physical requirements. But during his initial training, his involvement in past legal proceedings came up. «How will you react if a colleague makes a remark?» one trainer asked, questioning his ability to «integrate», a comment that ultimately led to his rejection. «I'm French. I was born here, raised here, trained here, and yet my name is enough to disqualify me the moment someone opens an envelope», El Mimouni said. «What did I do wrong? I spoke out about discrimination within a fire and rescue service. Is that a crime I should have kept quiet about?» His story sheds light on the invisible barriers faced by French citizens of Moroccan origin, even in public institutions that are supposed to embody equality. Those who denounce racism often find themselves met with suspicion, exclusion, and isolation. Though he no longer expects to return to firefighting, El Mimouni is committed to pursuing justice through the courts. «Things must change. We can't let decisions like these go unchallenged, for the sake of those who come after us», he said.
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
ANC Lashes Out at Zuma's Morocco Visit, Demands Apology Over Flag Use
Marrakech – South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has unleashed a bitter attack against former president Jacob Zuma for his recent visit to Morocco, where he boldly recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The ANC also furiously demanded that Morocco issue a formal apology for displaying the South African flag during meetings with Zuma, who now leads the opposition UMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. In a scathing statement released July 19, the ANC blasted what it called Zuma's 'opportunistic involvement' with Morocco, accusing the former president of betraying South Africa's 'principles.' The African country has historically touted a hardline anti-Moroccan stance on the artificial, prolonged dispute in the Sahara. 'We condemn the opportunistic involvement of Jacob Zuma, who has aligned himself with efforts that erode South Africa's standing in the international community and betray the principles of non-alignment, peace, and anti-colonial solidarity that he once purported to uphold,' the ANC fumed in its statement. The party further attacked Zuma's actions as 'shameful,' declaring that 'a former leader of a liberation movement is betraying our historical mission and showing his true colors as he stands in opposition to the aim of contributing to the creation of a better Africa.' The controversy erupted after Zuma's July 15 meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, where his MK party publicly endorsed Morocco's legitimate sovereignty over its southern provinces. This position directly challenges South Africa's increasingly outlier and ideologically rigid stance in backing the Polisario Front's separatist claims. This posture has grown geopolitically untenable as global support for the militants – which are on the brink of being designated as a terrorist group – crumbles. The ANC exploded with particular rage over Morocco's use of the South African flag during the meeting, calling it a 'reckless and provocative act' that constitutes a 'flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa's internal political affairs.' The party has ordered South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation to issue a 'formal diplomatic protest' and demand an 'immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan authorities.' This diplomatic tantrum unfolds amid deepening political turmoil in South Africa. The MK party, which emerged as the country's third-largest political force in recent elections, has aggressively campaigned for President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation. On July 18, MK supporters stormed the area outside the presidential palace in Pretoria, demanding Ramaphosa step down after giving him a two-day ultimatum earlier that week. The separatist agenda is counting its final days The ANC's venomous reaction to Zuma's Morocco visit reflects the party's panic as its influence in the Western Sahara dispute rapidly disintegrates. Morocco continues to secure overwhelming diplomatic victories across Africa, decisively shifting the continental balance in favor of its territorial integrity. South Africa's antagonistic stance toward Morocco dates back to 1976 when the ANC, then still a liberation movement, aligned itself with the Polisario Front in a gesture of ideological solidarity rooted in Cold War-era polarization. Upon assuming power in 1994, the ANC entrenched this position by unilaterally recognizing the self-declared 'SADR' in 2004 under President Thabo Mbeki, despite South Africa having no historical, geographic, or strategic stakes in the dispute. This alignment, driven by outdated ideological loyalties rather than pragmatic diplomacy, has rendered South Africa more and more isolated on the continental stage The ANC's hardline position has already caused internal fractures within the party. In October 2024, the ANC brutally punished senior member Obed Bapela, stripping him of his duties as Deputy Chairperson of the ANC National Executive Committee Sub-committee on International Relations after he met with Moroccan officials and called for strengthening economic ties between the two countries. This crackdown sparked protests in December 2024, when disgruntled ANC members gathered outside the party's Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg. Protesters, led by activist Teboho Maake, submitted a memorandum to the party leadership demanding recognition of Morocco's historical support during South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and calling for normalized relations with the North African country. 'We are dissatisfied over the ANC's stance against Morocco, and there exists an urgent need for clarity on how we plan to develop our bilateral relationships with them,' Maake declared during the demonstration. Morocco's aggressive Africa diplomacy is bearing fruit Morocco's diplomatic campaign has been particularly successful in anglophone Africa, which was once considered impenetrable territory firmly aligned with anti-Moroccan positions. Kenya, a longtime backer of the Polisario Front, executed a dramatic diplomatic reversal in May by recognizing Morocco's Autonomy Plan as 'the only credible, serious and sustainable approach' to resolving the dispute. Ghana similarly suspended relations with the self-proclaimed 'SADR' in June, while Zambia, Malawi, and Eswatini have opened consulates in Morocco's legitimate southern provinces. Meanwhile, Algeria – the chief sponsor of the Polisario separatists – finds itself ever more cornered and politically strained, as it continues to squander billions of its hydrocarbon rent on hosting, arming, and diplomatically propping up the group. Unlike South Africa's symbolic support, Algeria's fixation has translated into a costly and unsustainable geopolitical obsession, further exacerbating the regime's diplomatic isolation and diminishing its leverage across both regional and international arenas. As international support for the separatist cause collapses, Algerian authorities have resorted to begging for support from marginal allies like Zimbabwe, whose president visited Algeria on Saturday to reaffirm support for the failing separatist group. According to observers, the Algerian regime has lost all political and diplomatic cards it used for decades in managing the regional dispute with Morocco over the Sahara file. They note that Algeria now resorts to marginal states – either lacking influence in African decision-making or grappling with severe economic crises – in a bid to buy support and manufacture relevance. The sharp decline in support comes as global momentum builds to label the Polisario Front a terrorist organization. In June, US Congressman Joe Wilson officially introduced a bipartisan bill to classify the separatist group as a foreign terrorist organization, spotlighting the group's violent past and ongoing threats to regional stability. Despite these crushing setbacks, the ANC stubbornly clings to its outdated position, concluding its statement by reiterating 'its call for the completion of the decolonization process in Africa' and urging 'all progressive forces within the continent and around the world to intensify their solidarity with the people of Western Sahara in their pursuit of self-determination' – a narrative the United Nations itself quietly abandoned long ago. Read also: South African Party Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara Tags: Cyril RamaphosaJacob ZumaMorocco and South AfricaWestern sahara
