France to Hand Over Military Base in Cote d’Ivoire on February 20

France is set to transfer control of its only military base in Cote d’Ivoire to the Ivorian government on February 20, according to French media reports citing sources close to the negotiations.

The official handover at the Camp of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion in Port-Bouet, Abidjan, is expected to be attended by Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, with French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu also likely to participate.

The French military presence in Cote d’Ivoire, which included over 1,000 troops, was primarily aimed at supporting counterterrorism efforts against jihadist groups operating in the wider Sahel region.

Around 80 French soldiers will remain in the country for training following the transfer.

Cote d’Ivoire announced its decision to end the military partnership with France in December 2023 under President Alassane Ouattara.

The country joins several other West African nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad—that have recently severed military ties with France. Senegal is also set to end France’s military presence by the end of 2025.

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