Senegal has officially taken control of a French military communication base located near the capital Dakar, marking another key step in France’s phased military exit from the West African nation.
The facility in Rufisque, historically used by the French armed forces for communication across the South Atlantic since 1960, was formally transferred to Senegalese authorities as part of an agreed drawdown of French troops and infrastructure in the country.
The move aligns with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s earlier declaration that all French military presence must end by 2025. The withdrawal process began in March with the first base handovers and continues gradually throughout the year.
France and Senegal have long maintained close defense ties since the country gained independence in 1960. However, the new administration in Dakar has pledged to rebalance its foreign relations and treat all international partners equally—France included.
In a broader shift, all Senegalese nationals working with French military operations were relieved of their positions as of July 1, further signaling the end of an era in Franco-Senegalese military cooperation.
The latest handover reflects a wider pattern across West Africa, where former colonies are demanding greater sovereignty over security matters. France, facing growing anti-French sentiment in the region, has been forced to reevaluate its military footprint in multiple African nations.
Despite the military exit, both countries have expressed interest in maintaining strong diplomatic and economic relations as Senegal looks to shape a more autonomous defense policy moving forward.