A total of around 1,000 French troops were deployed at the base at its height to counter jihadist threats in the entire region. Even with the withdrawal, some 80 French troops will stay behind for training and support missions aimed at counterterrorism.
The French government officially handed over the nation’s only military base in Ivory Coast to Ivorian authorities on Thursday (February 20). This base, known as the Port-Bouet military camp or the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion’s camp, was located near Abidjan and had been under French control for 47 years. At its peak, about 1,000 French soldiers were stationed at the base, ostensibly to combat jihadist threats across the region.
At the handover ceremony, the Ivorian flag was raised on the base’s parade ground. Ivorian Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara and French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu signed documents formalising the transfer. This act marks a new era in the friendship and strategic collaboration between our two countries,” Ouattara said during the ceremony. Lecornu described the moment as “historic”.
“As the world is changing, it’s obvious that our military relationship should change too,” Lecornu said. “The presence of France is changing, but not disappearing.” Despite the withdrawal, France is expected to maintain a limited military presence in Ivory Coast. Around 80 French soldiers will remain for training and support missions focused on counterterrorism.
The change comes amid several of France’s former colonies in West Africa reassessing military ties with Paris. French forces have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups and growing anti-French sentiment. In November, Senegal and Chad also announced plans to end French military deployments in their countries.
French military presence in Ivory Coast has been an anomaly, as ties between Paris and other West African nations have frayed in recent years. However, both France and Ivory Coast stressed that relations between the two nations remain strong. Ouattara said he wanted to “reassure” France that bilateral military would be “as good as it has always been” in the future.
