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Faye directed France to close its military bases in Senegal in November
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Dakar, Senegal: President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye of Senegal has announced that all foreign military presences in the country will end by 2025, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s defense and security policy. The announcement came during his New Year’s Eve address on December 31, 2024, as he reflected on his administration’s commitment to sovereignty.
"I have instructed the minister for the armed forces to propose a new doctrine for cooperation in defense and security, which includes, among other measures, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal from 2025," Faye declared.
The statement follows a November announcement in which Faye directed France to close its military bases in Senegal. This is the first time the president has provided a specific timeline for the withdrawal of all foreign forces.
"Senegal’s friends will be treated as strategic partners within the framework of open, diversified, and uninhibited cooperation," Faye added, emphasizing a balanced approach to international relations.
France has been reducing military from West Africa
Faye, who assumed office in April 2024 after winning the presidency on a platform of sovereignty and reduced foreign dependency, has consistently underscored the need for Senegal to assert its independence.
In a November interview with AFP, he reiterated that the presence of French military bases was incompatible with Senegal’s sovereignty, stating, "Sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country."
Despite the directive, Faye clarified that this decision does not signal a severance of ties with France. "France remains an important partner for Senegal in areas such as investment, business, and the presence of French citizens in our country," he noted.
The move aligns with broader regional trends, as several West African nations re-evaluate their relationships with former colonial powers and seek to strengthen local governance and autonomy.
Source: AFP
