In his year-end speech to the nation, President Ouattara emphasized that the people of Ivory Coast should be proud of the modernization of the country’s armed forces.
“In this context, we have decided on the withdrawal of French forces in an organized and coordinated manner,” Mr. Ouattara emphasized.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara attended the opening session of the 19th Francophone Summit in Paris (France) on October 5, 2024
There is currently no information on France’s reaction to Mr. Ouattara’s statement.
Mr. Ouattara made the above statement after sources in November 2024 revealed to Reuters that France was considering reducing its military presence in West and Central African countries, including Ivory Coast, from about 2,200 troops. down to 600 troops.
Previously, Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 28, 2024 that it had terminated the defense cooperation agreement with France, a move that could cause French soldiers to leave this Central African country. There is no indication that Paris was informed in advance of Chad’s decision, according to Reuters.
Chad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the decision to end the defense partnership with France does not weaken the friendly relationship between the two countries.
However, Chad’s decision is another blow to France’s historical and colonial role in West and Central Africa after France withdrew troops from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso following military coups, according to Reuters. France ended colonial rule in West Africa in the 1960s.
