Ivory Coast Orders Withdrawal of French Troops

Ivory Coast has announced the withdrawal of French military forces, signaling the end of a decades-long presence in the West African nation.

President Alassane Ouattara revealed the decision during his end-of-year address, stating that the pullout would begin in January 2024 and be conducted in a "concerted and organized manner."

This move is part of a broader trend across Africa, where several nations have been scaling back France's military footprint. Over the past two years, France has been ousted from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, driven by military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.

The geopolitical landscape in the region is shifting, with countries like Chad and Senegal also requesting French troop withdrawals while exploring closer ties with global powers such as China and Russia.

Once a dominant force in the Sahel, France's military presence in Africa is now limited to Djibouti and Gabon, marking a significant retreat from its former influence on the continent.