France to reduce military presence in West and Central Africa

RFI

18 June 2024 at 2:16 am·1-min read

France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron's plans to limit the French military footprint in the region.

According to a plan currently under discussion with African partners, France is planning to drastically reduce its so-called "pre-positioned" forces in Africa, three sources told French news agency AFP.

The shift began in February 2023, when French President Emmanuel Macron announced a "noticeable reduction" of French troop presence in Africa, at a time when anti-French sentiment was running high in some former colonies.

According to two sources close to the government and a military source, who all asked not to be named, France will keep only around 100 troops in Gabon in Central Africa, down from 350 today and around 100 in Senegal, in West Africa, down from 350.

Paris plans to keep around 100 troops in Côte d'Ivoire on the southern coast of West Africa down from 600 troops today, and around 300 personnel in Chad in north-central Africa, down from 1,000 now.

The reduced presence could be periodically expanded based on the needs of local partners, the three sources said.

Contacted by AFP, the French General Staff declined to comment.

Gradual retreat

The three countries have formed an alliance and concluded security agreements with Russia, which has been seeking to expand its footprint on the continent.

His conclusions are expected in July.

(with AFP)

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Gradual retreat

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