Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced on Tuesday that French forces would be withdrawing from the country.
In his year-end address to the nation, Ouattara expressed pride in the progress and modernization of Ivory Coast’s own armed forces.
“In this context, we have decided on the coordinated and organized withdrawal of French forces,” he stated.
Reports suggest that France is considering reducing its military presence across West and Central Africa, including Ivory Coast, from approximately 2,200 troops to 600.
This move follows France’s withdrawal from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in response to military coups and rising anti-French sentiment in those nations.
Similarly, Chad, a key Western ally in the regional fight against Islamic militants, ended its defense cooperation agreement with France in November.