The troops are expected to leave Ivory Coast this month as France, a former colonial power in West Africa, fast loses influence there.

Ivory Coast announced on Wednesday that French troops will leave the country after a decades-long military presence

Ivory Coast is home to the biggest remaining contingent of French troops in West Africa. There are some 600 French military personnel in the country with 350 in Senegal. France, w

President Alassane Ouattara said in an end-of-year speech that French forces will withdraw from the West African nation in January, making it the latest country to weaken military ties with the former colonial power.

Ivory Coast’s president announced the withdrawal of French troops from the country, joining a growing number of francophone states that have asked the former colonial power to relinquish its military presence in West Africa.

Côte d'Ivoire has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military influence of the former colonial power in the region. In an end-of-year address, Côte d'Ivoire's President, Alassane Ouattara, said the move was a reflection of the modernisation of the country's armed forces.

President Alassane Ouattara stated that the withdrawal would begin in January 2025. France, which currently has around 600 soldiers stationed in Ivory Coast, will hand over the Port Bouët military base to Ivorian forces.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara's announcement is a further sign of former colonial power France's fading military influence in West Africa. View on euronews