Executive Summary
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in December 2024 announced that French troops would begin withdrawing from Côte d’Ivoire in January 2025. This marks another significant step in West Africa’s ongoing shift away from long-standing military and political ties with France. It raises questions about future regional security arrangements and the potential impact on stability, especially with indications that Moscow stands ready to fill the void.
After this withdrawal from Côte d’Ivoire, France would retain only a small military presence in the region, with approximately 300 troops in Gabon and 1,500 in Djibouti–a 70% reduction in personnel since initial deployments in the 1960s. Mali and Burkina Faso requested a full withdrawal of French forces in both 2022 and 2023, respectively. [source]
Images Sourced From: Ministère des Armées