Ivory Coast is set to assume full control of the French military base in Abidjan, marking a significant step in France’s ongoing withdrawal from Africa. President Alassane Ouattara announced the transition during his New Year’s Eve address, confirming that military responsibilities would officially return to Ivorian authorities.
The handover ceremony for the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA) camp in Port-Bouet is scheduled for February 20, with the defense ministers of both countries—Sébastien Lecornu of France and Téné Birahima Ouattara of Ivory Coast—set to attend.
This move is part of a broader reshaping of France’s military footprint in Africa. Having faced expulsion from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and more recently Chad, France is now adapting its strategy to a less conspicuous military presence tailored to the needs of host nations.
Unlike previous withdrawals, the transition in Ivory Coast is happening smoothly. Ivorian paratroopers entered the Port-Bouet base in January and are now working alongside French troops. While most of the 1,000 French soldiers previously stationed there will leave, around 80 personnel will remain as part of a continued strategic partnership. The camp will also be renamed Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara.
Despite the troop withdrawal, Ivory Coast remains a key French ally in West Africa, particularly in counterterrorism efforts against jihadist groups in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions. Meanwhile, other African nations, such as Senegal, are also negotiating the phased withdrawal of French forces, with a full exit expected by 2025.
The Abidjan transition reflects a shifting dynamic in Franco-African military relations, as France moves toward a more discreet but cooperative defense strategy in the region.
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