Sat Mar 08 03:36:55 UTC 2025: ## France Completes Partial Military Withdrawal from Senegal
**DAKAR, Senegal (March 8, 2025)** – France has formally begun withdrawing its military presence from Senegal, handing over control of two key military facilities in Dakar on Friday. The handover marks a significant step in the ongoing reduction of French military influence in West Africa, following Senegal’s declaration last year that all foreign troops would depart.
The French Embassy confirmed the transfer of facilities in the Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry districts, a process reportedly ready since summer 2024. While the embassy did not disclose the current number of French troops remaining in Senegal, the withdrawal follows the recent dismissal of 162 Senegalese personnel working on French military bases.
This action reflects Senegal’s increasingly assertive stance against the lingering presence of former colonial powers, mirroring a wider regional trend. France has faced growing opposition across West Africa, experiencing setbacks in countries such as Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where French troops have been withdrawn.
France has stated its intention to significantly reduce its military presence across Africa, except in Djibouti, shifting towards providing defence training and targeted military support based on individual country needs. The ongoing withdrawal from Senegal signals a substantial shift in Franco-African relations.
First Piper 