In a significant move marking the gradual withdrawal of French military presence in West Africa, France officially handed over a military base to Senegal on Tuesday. This transfer continues a broader process initiated earlier this year, following an announcement by Senegal’s President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, who declared that all French military bases in the country would need to close by 2025.
The recent handover involved a military communications center located in Rufisque, just outside the Senegalese capital, Dakar. According to a statement from the French embassy in Senegal, this center had been operational since 1960, providing vital communications support for activities along the southern Atlantic coast.
Following Senegal’s independence from France in 1960, the two nations maintained a close relationship, with Senegal becoming one of France’s steadfast allies in Africa. However, the political landscape has shifted under President Faye, who has sought to redefine Senegal’s foreign relations. Since taking office in 2024, Faye’s administration has emphasized the need to engage with France on equal terms as with any other foreign partner.
This shift in policy has led to significant changes, including the decision to terminate contracts with all Senegalese staff working alongside French troops as of July 1. Such measures reflect Faye’s commitment to reshape the dynamics of Senegal’s military cooperation and underscore a broader trend of increasing sovereignty in its international affairs.
