SENEGAL has officially taken control of two of the five French military bases in the country, marking the beginning of a complete withdrawal of French troops. The sites, Maréchal and Saint-Exupéry, near Dakar’s port, were formally transferred to Senegalese authorities on Friday, RFI reports.
According to military officials, the bases had been unoccupied for a year, and their return was already planned. There was no formal ceremony, only the signing of documents to finalise the handover.
Senegal reshapes its foreign relations
Since his election in April 2024, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been vocal about redefining Senegal’s foreign relationships. In an interview with French media last year, he stated, ‘There will soon be no more French soldiers in Senegal.’ His administration is now working toward fulfilling that pledge.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko reinforced this stance in his December policy speech, promising significant reforms, including the closure of all foreign military bases. The remaining three French bases—Camp Geille in Ouakam, Rufisque in Dakar’s suburbs, and a third yet to be specified—are set to close, though an exact timeline is yet to be determined.
Complete withdrawal expected by September
In January, General Pascal Ianni, head of France’s Africa Command, met with Senegalese Chief of Staff General Mbaye Cissé to discuss the exit strategy. According to military sources cited by RFI, September appears to be the likely deadline for the final withdrawal.
French officials noted that military transfers typically take place in the summer for logistical and family reasons. Discussions are ongoing about the future of a French Falcon 50 aircraft stationed at Dakar airport, which France hopes to keep for surveillance missions related to fishing and drug trafficking.
Job loss concerns amid French exit
The departure of French forces has raised concerns about employment, as the bases provide direct jobs to 162 local personnel and support 400–500 workers through subcontractors. Many employees are negotiating severance packages to secure financial stability after the withdrawal.
To address the economic impact, the French army organised a career advice day on Thursday, offering workers training in construction, logistics, hospitality, and finance. However, some employees remain sceptical.
‘We are thinking especially of the young people,’ electrician Souleymane Touré told RFI, adding that with 60% of the workforce over 50, finding alternative jobs may prove challenging.
French military officials insist they are handling the transition responsibly. Brigadier General Yves Aunis told AFP in January that the French state is ‘aware of the human stakes and the impact on Senegalese families’ and is committed to complying with Senegalese labour laws to ensure a fair transition.
A new chapter for Senegal
Senegal and France have maintained strong diplomatic and economic ties despite France’s colonial rule over the country until 1960. This withdrawal marks a significant shift in that relationship as Senegal moves toward greater sovereignty in military affairs.
While concerns remain over the economic implications, President Faye’s administration is determined to reshape the nation’s foreign engagements, making this withdrawal a defining moment in Senegal’s evolving geopolitical stance.
