Senegal will host a landmark ceremony at the Ouakam military camp, officially marking the full return of the land previously occupied by the French Elements in Senegal (EFS).
This event, held at the Colonel Frédéric Geille camp, signifies the end of more than six decades of continuous French military presence on Senegalese soil since the country’s independence in 1960.
The handover of this final French military base follows a phased withdrawal that began in March 2025, in line with a bilateral agreement signed between Dakar and Paris in February.
This accord reflects a mutual commitment to restructure military cooperation and adapt to evolving strategic priorities between the two nations.
Prior to the Ouakam transfer, four major sites had already been returned to Senegalese control: Camp Maréchal in Dakar’s Hann Park, Camp Saint-Exupéry, the Rear Admiral Protet district at the port of Dakar, and the Rufisque joint broadcasting station, which was handed over on July 1, 2025.
Ouakam camp, the last to be repatriated, served as the operational and logistical hub for the EFS, housing approximately 350 French soldiers. Historically, it acted as a crucial support base for French military operations across West Africa.
The Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA) announced that Thursday’s ceremony will feature a formal arms ceremony and official speeches, overseen by the Senegalese Armed Forces General Staff. French representatives stationed in Senegal will also participate, while accredited journalists are scheduled to arrive at 8:15 a.m. GMT.
Though marking the end of the French military presence, this withdrawal does not signal a rupture in Franco-Senegalese relations. Instead, it ushers in a redefined partnership framework, emphasizing greater respect for Senegal’s sovereignty.
For Senegal, the full return of the Ouakam base represents a historic milestone, restoring full control over a key strategic military asset and symbolizing a new chapter in its national defence and international cooperation.
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