Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has announced that French forces will withdraw from the country in January 2025, marking another significant shift in military ties between France and its former colonies in West Africa.
The announcement was made during Ouattara’s end-of-year speech on Tuesday.
“We can be proud of our army, whose modernization is now effective. It is in this context that we have decided on the concerted and organised withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast,” Ouattara said.
He revealed that the 43rd BIMA (Marine Infantry Battalion) at Port-Bouet in Abidjan — the base of French troops in Ivory Coast — “will be handed over” to Ivory Coast’s armed forces starting January 2025.
This decision underscores Ivory Coast’s growing focus on self-reliance in defence, as the nation continues to strengthen its armed forces amidst regional security challenges.
France has been adjusting its military posture in Africa following the forced withdrawal of its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — countries now governed by administrations hostile to the former colonial power.
Last month, Senegal and Chad joined the list of African nations severing military ties with France. On December 26, France handed over its first military base in Chad, the last Sahel nation still hosting French troops.
Despite the withdrawal, Ivory Coast remains a significant ally of France. About 1,000 French soldiers were stationed at the 43rd BIMA to provide support in combating jihadist threats in the Sahel region and parts of the Gulf of Guinea.
In his address, Ouattara also spoke about the upcoming presidential election slated for October 2025, pledging that it would be conducted in a “peaceful, transparent, and democratic” manner.
The president, who has been in office since 2010, did not indicate whether he would seek a fourth term, leaving speculation about his political future open.
The withdrawal of French forces from Ivory Coast signals a continued redefinition of military relationships between France and its former colonies. The decision aligns with a broader pattern of West African nations asserting greater autonomy in their defence strategies, while also navigating the persistent threat of extremism and regional instability.
As Ivory Coast prepares to assume full control of the 43rd BIMA, the country’s armed forces are expected to play a more prominent role in maintaining national and regional security.
