France Ends Permanent Forces' Presence In Senegal

JAKARTA - France handed over control of its last major military facility in Senegal on Thursday. This decision marks the end of the long presence of its armed forces in the West African country and a milestone in troop withdrawals from the wider region.

The commander of French troops in Africa, General Pascal Ianni, handed over the key to the military camp in Dakar in a ceremony accompanied by the raising of the Senegal flag while military musicians played the national anthem.

"Today's transfer of Camp Geille marks a new chapter in the evolution of the partnership between our two armed forces," Ianni told reporters.

"This is a response to the desire of the Senegal authorities to no longer place foreign troops permanently in their territory," he continued.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced last year that the French military base was not in accordance with Senegal's sovereignty and had to be moved.

The two countries agreed to complete the process by the end of the year and began in March when France handed over two other facilities, also in Dakar.

This process is more friendly than the departure of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where the military junta has expelled French troops and asked Russia for help in fighting jihadist insurgencies.

Chad, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the region, suddenly ended his defense cooperation pact with France last year, forcing his troops to withdraw.

With fewer attendances in West and Central Africa, France has said it plans to focus on training, intelligence sharing, and responding to requests for assistance from various countries.

TRAINING WILL BE CONTINUED

Ianni said the presence of French troops in Senegal had lasted more than two centuries, but changes were needed to revive the partnership.

General Mbaye Cisse, Chief of General Staff of the Senegal Armed Forces, said the new agreement would allow Senegal to continue to benefit from training and exchanging information.

"We pray that all of our colleagues and their families can return to France safely," he said.

The former French colonial ruler has faced criticism for placing soldiers in Senegal long after the country's independence in 1960.

Senegal has long demanded that Paris properly investigate the massacre of African soldiers fighting for France in the Second World War in 1944.