A historic moment will unfold in Franco-Senegalese relations as France officially returns the Ouakam military base to Senegal.
This handover marks the end of more than six decades of continuous French military presence on Senegalese soil, a legacy dating back to the country’s independence in 1960.
The transfer of Ouakam, the final remaining French military installation in Senegal, culminates a phased withdrawal of all five French bases, with complete departure scheduled by the end of September.
French Ambassador to Dakar, Christine Fages, announced the milestone during France’s national day celebrations on July 14, alongside Mary Teuw Niane, Director of the Cabinet of the Senegalese Presidency.
“In accordance with the guidelines established in 2022 by President Macron, France will return to Senegal the military bases of the French elements in Senegal, in four days,” they declared.
The Ouakam base follows the earlier return of four other key sites: Camp Maréchal and Camp Saint-Exupéry, handed back in March 2025; the Contre-Amiral Protet district at Dakar’s port; and the Rufisque Joint Communications Centre, transferred on July 1, 2025.
With Ouakam’s return, the French Elements in Senegal (EFS) formally cease to exist, drawing to a close a military presence that has spanned the nation’s entire post-independence history.
This withdrawal does not signal a severance but a recalibration of relations. A joint communiqué issued by the Senegalese and French foreign ministries in February 2025 set the tone for redefining their strategic partnership to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and Africa’s growing sovereignty.
Military cooperation is set to give way to collaborations in economics, culture, innovation, and education, fostering a more equal and autonomous dialogue.
The Ouakam base, perched strategically above Dakar, has long symbolized French influence in the region. Its restitution carries profound symbolic weight for many Senegalese, marking a mental and strategic reclaiming of sovereignty. Paris’s decision sends a broader message across Africa amid growing calls to challenge external military presences.
In Dakar, reactions blend caution with opportunity: a chance to retake control over sensitive military spaces and to refocus security priorities in line with local interests.
The departure of the EFS closes a chapter of colonial legacy and opens a new era of partnership, demanding but promising a more balanced and respectful future.
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