A historic chapter in Franco-Senegalese relations came to a close on Thursday, July 17, 2025, as Senegal officially marked the end of France’s longstanding military presence in the country.
The symbolic handover of the final French military installations took place at Camp Geille in Ouakam, Dakar.
Presiding over the ceremony was Lieutenant General Mbaye Cissé, Chief of the General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, alongside Major General Pascal Ianni, Commander of the French Forces for Africa.
The event signifies the return of key facilities previously occupied by the French Elements in Senegal (EFS), including Camp Geille and an aeronautical facility at Dakar airport.
The French military presence in Senegal dates back to 1960, coinciding with the country’s independence. It was maintained through bilateral defense agreements focused primarily on cooperation and military training.
However, a major shift occurred in November 2024, when President Bassirou Diomaye Faye—elected on a platform advocating national sovereignty—announced the termination of all foreign military presence by 2025. “Senegal is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accommodate the presence of military bases,” he declared.
The EFS included up to 350 French personnel, who were chiefly engaged in operational partnerships with Senegalese forces. The withdrawal, which began in March 2025, was carried out in close coordination with Senegalese authorities.
This move positions Senegal among a growing number of West African nations—including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Gabon—that have ended permanent French military deployments in recent years. The departures reflect a broader regional trend of reclaiming full national control over defense infrastructure and strategic autonomy.
The conclusion of France’s six-decade presence in Senegal not only closes a military chapter but also marks a significant step in the country’s ongoing assertion of its sovereignty.
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