French military troops who have been stationed in Ivory Coast for many years will soon be departing, according to Ivorian officials. This move represents a further diplomatic setback for France, as local resentment has led former allies in West and Central Africa to cut ties with Paris. President Alassane Ouattara announced on Tuesday that Ivory Coast will join a growing list of African nations ending military cooperation with France. This decision comes as some former French allies are turning to Russian mercenaries for assistance in combating armed groups in the region.
The decision to expel French troops was unexpected, as President Ouattara has been seen as one of the African leaders closest to France. However, the Ivorian government cited the effectiveness of the Ivorian army as the reason for the withdrawal. French soldiers have been assisting the Ivorian army in fighting armed groups in the region, as well as participating in a United Nations peacekeeping mission during the country’s civil war from 2002 to 2011.
The pushback against France in Francophone Africa is not limited to Ivory Coast. Several other countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Senegal, have also expelled French troops in recent years. This wave of expulsions has forced France to reevaluate its military strategy on the continent, focusing more on temporary deployments and training local forces.
The resentment towards France in its former colonies is rooted in historical controversies related to colonialism. French colonial rule was perceived as oppressive and damaging to traditional institutions and culture. After gaining independence in the 1960s, many African countries maintained close ties with France to protect economic interests and security, in a system known as “Francafrique.” However, the perceived weakness of French troops in combating armed groups has led to a shift in this relationship, with some countries turning to other sources of military support.
Despite these setbacks, France still maintains a military presence in Djibouti and Gabon. In Djibouti, close to 1,500 French troops are stationed, while in Gabon, around 300 troops remain. However, the recent trend of African nations cutting ties with France signals a diminishing influence for the former colonial power in the region.