France plans to reduce the number of its troops in West and Central Africa
France plans to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans.
In February 2023, Macron announced a significant reduction in the presence of French troops in Africa, as anti-French sentiment grew in some former colonies and countries such as Russia sought to strengthen their influence there.
Under a plan under discussion with African partners, France plans a significant reduction in the number of its pre-deployed troops in Africa.
According to two sources close to the French government and a military source, France will keep only about 100 troops in Gabon in Central Africa and a similar number in Senegal in West Africa, compared to 350 currently in each of the two countries.
Paris also plans to keep about 100 troops in Ivory Coast on the southern coast of West Africa, compared to 600 currently, and about 300 troops in Chad in north-central Africa, compared to 1,000 currently.
The three sources said the number of soldiers could be increased periodically based on the needs of local partners.
The French General Staff declined to comment on the remarks.
In addition to the approximately 1,600 troops deployed in West Africa and Gabon, France until two years had more than 5,000 troops in the Sahel region as part of Operation Barkhane to combat jihadist organizations.
However, Paris gradually withdrew its troops at the request of the military, who came to power in Mali in 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023.
The three countries have struck security agreements with Russia, which is seeking to expand its presence on the continent.
Chad, ruled by Mohamed Idriss Déby, son of Idriss Deby Itno, who has been president for more than 30 years, is the last country in the Sahel to host French soldiers.
In February, Macron tasked former minister Jean-Marie Boukiel with reconceptualizing France’s military presence in partner African countries; He’s expected to deliver his conclusions in July.
The French military planned to create a Paris-based command dedicated to Africa this summer.
The chief of staff of the French armed forces, General Thierry Burkhard, revealed that the French army doesn’t rule out sharing its bases with US or European partners.
Instead of combat missions, French soldiers will essentially provide training and capabilities to partner countries, at their request.
