MADRID 1 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
In the last few hours, Ivory Coast has announced the end of the presence of French troops in the African country.
The president of the country, Alassane Ouattara, has assured that the withdrawal of up to 600 French soldiers deployed in the country will begin throughout the month of January.
“We have decided on a concerted and organized withdrawal of French forces from the Ivory Coast,” he said, adding that the Port Bouét military infantry battalion, led by the French army, will be handed over to Ivorian troops.
Outtara’s announcement is the latest by several West African leaders in whose countries French military personnel have been asked to leave the continent.
Several West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where several coups have taken place in recent years, have recently called on France to withdraw from the country. These also include Senegal and Chad, considered France’s most stable and loyal partner in Africa.
The reduction in military ties comes at a time when France has been making efforts to revive its waning political and military influence on the continent by crafting a new military strategy that would sharply reduce the permanent presence of its troops in Africa.
To this day, the French remain in Djibouti, with 1,500 soldiers, and Gabon, with 350 troops.