On Thursday, France handed over its last military bases in Senegal, resulting in the French army with no permanent camps or bases in west and central Africa. The last remaining French camp was in Senegal – Camp Geille was also France’s largest base in the west African country.
Camp Geille also had its adrift base Dakar airport was returned with a ceremonious gesture where both French and Senegalese officials present. This comes following many colonies withdrawing their former colonies across the country increasingly turning their backs on their former ruler.
French army leaves Senegal, ending 365 years of French military presence in West Africa pic.twitter.com/BGxgi80PuY
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Camp Geille’s return ends the French army’s 65 years in Senegal as around 350 soldiers who were primarily tasked with conducting joint operations with the Senegalese army, will leave the west African nation after a three-month departure process. French started refraining its bases to Senegal from March of this year, reports France 24.
As per the campaign promises by the Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, after his successful 2024 victory, he demanded the French troops to withdraw from the country by 2025. Pledging to make his country more self-sufficient, the president gave an ultimatum to withdraw by the end of 2025 for all foreign armies.
Senegal’s Chief of General Staff, General Mbaye Cisse, and General Pascal Ianni, who commands France’s troops in Africa, will attend.Senegal after getting its independence in 1960, became one of the strongest French alliances and also served as a reliable bases and troops throughout the history.
