The French Command in Africa, led by Chief Pascal Ianni, officially handed over France’s last two military bases in Senegal to the Senegalese armed forces on Thursday morning.
The ceremony, held in Dakar, was also overseen by Senegal’s General Mbaye Cissé, marking the conclusion of a 65-year French military presence in the country.
“This is an important turning point in the rich and long military history between our two countries,” General Cissé remarked during the event.
He added that both militaries have now “defined new objectives” aimed at giving fresh direction to their security partnership, emphasizing Senegal’s commitment to “consolidating the many achievements made in the quest for strategic autonomy.”
France had maintained a permanent military presence in Senegal since the country’s independence in 1960.
Camp Geille, which housed about 350 French troops, was the final installation to be returned to Senegalese control following a gradual shutdown of other bases beginning in March 2024.
The move comes amid rising anti-French sentiment sweeping across parts of West Africa.
