In January 2024, Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara announced that his country would be withdrawing French troops, signaling a shift in the long-standing military relationship between the two nations. This decision has profound implications, reflecting Ivory Coast’s evolving stance on foreign military presence and the broader political dynamics of West Africa.
Ivory Coast has been a longtime ally of France, with French military presence in the country dating back to the colonial era. Following Ivory Coast’s independence in 1960, France maintained military bases and a significant presence in the region, citing the need for stability, counterterrorism efforts, and the protection of French nationals. France has played a pivotal role in supporting Ivory Coast during moments of crisis, particularly during the 2002 civil war, the 2010-2011 post-election violence, and the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel.
However, the relationship between the two nations began to evolve as anti-French sentiment grew in parts of the African continent, especially in former French colonies. French military presence in the region came under increasing scrutiny, with many questioning whether these forces were still necessary or if they were seen as symbols of neocolonial influence. This sentiment grew after the French military’s withdrawal from Mali in 2022, which marked a significant turning point in France’s role in West Africa.
In Ivory Coast, there has been a growing call for a reevaluation of French military presence. The country’s political climate has shifted, with rising nationalism and a desire to assert greater sovereignty. President Ouattara’s decision to withdraw French troops reflects this broader trend across West Africa, as countries in the region increasingly seek to assert more independence from former colonial powers. While Ivory Coast’s withdrawal of French troops has been framed as a move toward self-reliance, it is also indicative of a desire to forge new relationships with other international partners, including the United States, Russia, and China, as they offer different forms of support.
Despite the withdrawal, French military personnel will remain in the country to assist with training, equipment, and counterterrorism operations, particularly in the context of the growing threat posed by extremist groups in the Sahel region. Ivory Coast’s leadership has emphasized that while their relationship with France is evolving, it is not ending entirely. The withdrawal of French troops is part of a broader rethinking of military alliances, with an emphasis on strengthening regional security through partnerships with neighboring West African nations and international coalitions.
This move also comes in the context of broader geopolitical shifts in West Africa, where countries like Burkina Faso and Mali have already aligned themselves more closely with Russia, seeking alternatives to French military influence. While the withdrawal marks the end of a chapter in Ivory Coast’s relationship with France, it also reflects the country’s desire for a more balanced and diversified foreign policy approach in an increasingly multipolar world.
