Official statements from the Ivorian government or French Ministry of Armed Forces

Ivory Coast to Withdraw French Forces from Port-Bouet Base in January 2025

Dec 31, 2024, 11:29 PM

Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French military forces from the country, marking a significant shift in the nation's military relations with its former colonial power. President Alassane Ouattara made the announcement during his end-of-year address, stating that the withdrawal would begin in January 2025. The French military base in Port-Bouet, previously occupied by the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA), will be handed over to the Ivorian armed forces and renamed 'General Ouattara Thomas d'Aquin,' in honor of the first chief of staff of the Ivorian army. This move aligns with a broader trend across West Africa, where countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, and Chad have also requested the departure of French troops, reflecting a growing anti-French sentiment and a push for greater national sovereignty in military affairs. Approximately 1,000 French soldiers were deployed at the BIMA base, primarily engaged in combating jihadists in the Sahel and the northern regions of Gulf of Guinea countries. The decision is part of the modernization efforts of the Ivorian army.