France has handed over its last two military bases in Senegal to local authorities, thus completing the complete withdrawal of its military contingent from the country, Report informs referring to Al Arabia.
This was the final stage in ending France's military presence in West and Central Africa.
At an official ceremony attended by high-ranking representatives of France and Senegal, Paris returned Camp Gayle, the largest military base in the entire country, and a military airfield located at Dakar International Airport. About 350 French troops, who previously conducted joint operations with the Senegalese army, are leaving Senegal. This marked the end of a three-month withdrawal process that began in March of this year.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who won the 2024 elections on a wave of promises of radical change, has demanded a complete withdrawal of French forces by the end of 2025.
Unlike the leaders of other former French colonies - Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger - Faye stresses that Senegal will continue to cooperate with Paris.