French army leaves Senegal ending military presence in west Africa - Africa
Ending the French army's 65 years in Senegal, the pull-out comes after similar withdrawals across the continent, with former colonies increasingly turning their backs on their former ruler.
The French withdrawal comes as the Sahel region faces a growing jihadist conflict across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that is threatening Gulf of Guinea nations to the south. A recent string of attacks this month in Mali included an assault on a town on the border with Senegal.
France returned Camp Geille, its largest base in the west African country, and its airfield at Dakar airport, in a ceremony attended by top French and Senegalese officials, including Senegalese chief of staff General Mbaye Cisse and General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa.
Around 350 French soldiers, primarily tasked with conducting joint operations with the Senegalese army, are now leaving, marking the end of a three-month departure process that began in March.
After storming to victory in 2024 elections promising radical change, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye demanded France withdraw troops from the country by 2025.
Unlike the leaders of other former colonies such as junta-run Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, however, Faye has insisted that Senegal will keep working with Paris.
'Sovereignty'
After gaining independence in 1960, Senegal became one of France's staunchest African allies, playing host to French troops throughout its history.
Faye's predecessor, Macky Sall, continued that tradition.
Faye, who ran on a ticket promising a clean break with the Sall era, has said that Senegal would treat France like any other foreign partner.
Pledging to make his country more self-sufficient, the president gave a deadline of the end of 2025 for all foreign armies to withdraw.
"Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country," Faye said at the end of 2024, while maintaining that "France remains an important partner for Senegal".
Faye has also urged Paris to apologise for colonial atrocities, including the massacre on December 1, 1944 of dozens of African troops who had fought for France in World War II.
Continent-wide pull-out
With governments across Africa increasingly questioning France's military presence, Paris has closed or reduced numbers at bases across its former empire.
In February France handed back its sole remaining base in Ivory Coast, ending decades of French presence at the site.
The month before, France turned over the Kossei base in Chad, its last military foothold in the unrest-hit Sahel region.
Coups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali between 2020 and 2023 have swept military strongmen to power. All have cut ties with France and turned to Russia instead for help in fighting the Sahel's decade-long jihadist insurgency.
The Central African Republic, also a former French colony to which the Kremlin has sent mercenaries, has likewise demanded a French pull-out.
Meanwhile the army has turned its base in Gabon into a camp shared with the central African nation.
Only the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti will be home to a permanent French army base following Thursday's withdrawal.
France intends to make its base in Djibouti, with some 1,500 people, its military headquarters for Africa.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
9 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egyptian FM Praises Egyptian Community in Senegal for Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Taarek Refaat Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Badr Abdel Aaty, lauded the Egyptian community in Senegal on Friday for their vital role in deepening ties between the two nations and for their active contributions to Senegalese society across various sectors. Speaking during a meeting with members of the Egyptian diaspora in Dakar as part of his official visit to the West African nation, Abdel Aaty commended the community's efforts in fostering bilateral cooperation and enhancing Egypt's presence in the region. The minister highlighted Egypt's ongoing commitment to modernizing its consular services and embracing digital transformation. He revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration is currently upgrading the technological infrastructure in embassies and consulates, aiming to deliver more efficient, user-friendly services through advanced online platforms. As part of these efforts, Abdel Aaty announced the launch of a new mechanism to accelerate the issuance of computerized birth certificates and highlighted a cooperation protocol recently signed with the National Postal Authority. The agreement aims to decentralize document authentication services by offering them through local post offices, especially in underserved and remote areas, to reduce congestion and simplify procedures. The minister also presented several initiatives the Egyptian government has introduced to support its expatriate population. These include the "Import Your Car" initiative, the military service settlement program, and the 'Your Home in Egypt' project in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, which allocates ready-to-move-in residential units to Egyptians living abroad. Additionally, he underscored the ongoing collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt to help expats open domestic bank accounts, thereby broadening their access to investment and financial services within their homeland. Abdel Aaty reiterated the ministry's dedication to maintaining open communication with Egyptian communities around the world. He confirmed that preparations are underway for the sixth edition of the Egyptians Abroad Conference, scheduled for August 3–4, 2025. The event will serve as a key platform for dialogue between diaspora members and senior Egyptian officials. 'This conference is essential in shaping policies that reflect the aspirations of Egyptians living overseas,' he said, emphasizing the importance of incorporating their perspectives into national development strategies. During the meeting, the minister welcomed questions and suggestions from community members, assuring them that the ministry is attentive to the challenges they face and is working closely with relevant authorities to address them. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Hundreds of Lebanese welcome Pro-Palestinian militant released after 40 years in French jail - Region
Hundreds of Lebanese gathered near Beirut International Airport on Thursday to welcome Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant released after 41 years in French detention, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen. French authorities deported Abdallah a day earlier than expected in what Al-Mayadeen described as an attempt to disrupt the planned reception and celebrations. The outlet referred to Abdallah as a 'revolutionary activist'. A post on X by the network said: 'After 41 years in a French prison, Lebanese revolutionary and activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah has finally been freed. Today, he arrived in Beirut, reuniting with his family and comrades, as countless supporters have long awaited his return.' 'Despite relentless Western pressure to trade his political principles for his legal right to freedom, Abdallah never caved in, choosing to spend most of his life behind bars rather than abandon the cause he stands for,' it added. A photo taken on 3 July 1986 shows former Lebanese militiaman Georges Ibrahim Abdallah during his trial for complicity in the murder of two diplomats, for which Abdallah was sentenced to life imprisonment. AFP Supporters gathered outside the airport, waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags and chanting in support of Abdallah. Some banged on drums and held up Palestinian and Lebanese Communist Party flags and a banner reading, 'George Abdallah is free — a Lebanese, Palestinian and international freedom fighter on the road to liberating Palestine,' AP reported. 🇱🇧 DIRECT I Le monde continue d'arriver devant l'aéroport de Beyrouth en soutien à Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. L'ancien prisonnier politique, enfermé pendant 41 ans, devrait arriver dans les prochaines minutes. Enorme émotion sur place. — Révolution Permanente (@RevPermanente) July 25, 2025 Abdallah, a former leader of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, was convicted in France in 1987 over the 1982 assassinations of a US military attaché and an Israeli diplomat. He became eligible for release in 1999 but remained imprisoned amid political opposition from successive French governments, under pressure from the United States and Israel. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
French move, global outrage at starving Gaza put recognizing Palestine on map in Europe - War on Gaza
Israel's genocidal war and starvation policies in Gaza have sent shivers down the spines of millions around the world and reignited a momentum in several European countries to push leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood. Pressures on various European capitals to return to demanding that Israel accepts a two-state solution increased after French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that his country would recognise a Palestinian state in September at the upcoming UN General Assembly. The French announcement of intent to become the 143rd country to recognize Palestinian Statehood was met with warm praise in the Arab world from Egypt, Jordan, the Arab Gulf States, and the Palestinian presidency. In the UK, MPs and broad segments of the public were pressuring the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow in the French steps. In Germany and Italy, two countries that have long supported the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in principle, the governments of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that while they support a ceasefire in the Gaza war and unfettered entry of aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians but the timing for recognizing aPalestinian statehood might not be right. For nearly two years, endless pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Europe pressured several governments into coming out against the Israeli war, but could not pressure them into recognizing Palestinian statehood. The French announcement came a few days after France, the UK, and Italy joined 23 European nations and Japan, New Zealand, and Australia in calling for an immediate end to the Israeli war in Gaza and the unfettered entry of aid to the strip to prevent famine in the strip. Earlier this month, the EU rejected a proposal put forward by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose government has led the charge in opposing the Israeli war in Gaza from its start within the old continent, to suspend the EU-Israel Association agreement and block imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank over Israeli violations of international law. This week, in several European capitals, demonstrations and outrage by broad segments of the public over the death of starving Palestinians on top of 200,000 killed and wounded since October 2023, plus calls by many left-leaning and pro-Palestinian MPs for recognition of the State of Palestine, have increased pressure on several European governments to consider the matter. These public calls in the old continent for leaders to recognise Palestinian statehood have also intensified in the past several days as the images of dead or dying, starving, and emaciated Palestinians, including children, due to the five-month-old Israeli blockade on any food or water to Gaza. They also intensified after Israel and the US walked away from ceasefire talks with Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, dashing hopes among many around the world that the carnage in Gaza was nearing its end. On Friday, Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin, a staunch opponent of the Israeli war in Gaza, welcomed France's move, calling it 'very significant' and noting it would make France the first G7 nation to take such a step. Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognized Palestine in May 2024. Mounting pressure In Westminster, a parliamentary report published Friday urged immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood. 'The UK has missed multiple opportunities to act decisively in the past. We must not let another opportunity pass us by,' wrote Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the UK Parliament. Senior Labour figures have expressed support for recognition, while the Liberal Democrats have warned that the UK must not 'fall behind' its European allies. Also on Friday, more than 220 MPs called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognise the State of Palestine, less than 24 hours after France announced its intention to do so, according to AFP. The demand came in a letter organised by Labour MP Sarah Champion, who chairs the International Development Committee, Sky News reported. The letter stated that UK recognition would carry particular weight, given Britain's authorship of the Balfour Declaration and its former role as the Mandatory Power in Palestine. "Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such recognition would give that position substance, as well as fulfil a historic responsibility to the people under that Mandate," it added. So far, Downing Street has resisted these calls, insisting a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza must come first. Ministers have maintained that sovereignty should only be recognised 'at the moment of attaining statehood.' On Friday, Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, said it had "no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term." A government spokesperson said Berlin considers recognition one of the final steps toward a two-state solution, adding: "Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government." Along the same lines, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that while Rome could not accept the "carnage and famine" in Gaza, it was not ready to join France. "We can no longer accept carnage and famine," he said, according to ANSA. He added Italy would only recognise a Palestinian state "at the same time as their recognition of the state of Israel." Italian Prime Minister Meloni called the situation in Gaza "dramatic" on Wednesday, stating: "No military action can justify attacks against civilians." The UK PM Starmer was expected to join an emergency call with Macron and Chancellor Merz to discuss the spiralling humanitarian crisis. More than 100 humanitarian organisations have warned of imminent famine. On Friday, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said its teams are "witnessing catastrophic levels of malnutrition", reporting that one in four young children and pregnant women screened were malnourished. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
