The announcement by Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara that French forces will withdraw from the country by January 2025 signals a significant milestone in the diminishing influence of France in its former colonies.
This move continues a broader trend of West African nations asserting their sovereignty and rejecting the lingering presence of their former colonial power.
Speaking in a year-end address, President Ouattara highlighted the progress made in modernizing Ivory Coast’s armed forces, emphasizing the nation’s capacity to secure its own future. “We have decided on the coordinated and organised withdrawal of French forces,” he declared, calling on Ivorians to take pride in their self-reliance.
This decision aligns with the sentiment sweeping across West Africa, where public discontent with France’s policies has grown, fueled by accusations of neo-colonialism and exploitative relationships.
France’s declining presence in the region is evident, with troop withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following widespread anti-French sentiment and political upheavals.
Even Chad, traditionally a strong ally of France, terminated its defense pact with Paris in November. The departure of French forces from Ivory Coast underscores a regional shift, as nations prioritize their independence over dependency on external powers.
For many in West Africa, this is not just a military recalibration but a step toward reclaiming their dignity and autonomy from a colonial past that continues to cast a long shadow.
