France hands over last military base in Côte d'Ivoire

France has formally transferred control of its last military base in Côte d'Ivoire to local authorities signaling the end of decades of direct French military presence in the country. During a ceremonial handover at the Port-Bouet military camp near Abidjan, Defense Ministers from both nations signed transfer documents as the Ivorian flag was raised over the facility.

The 570-acre base, which has housed the 43rd BIMA marine infantry battalion since 1978, will be renamed Camp Thomas d'Aquin Ouattara, after the Ivorian army's first chief of staff. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu characterized the moment as "historic," while his Ivorian counterpart, Tene Birahima Ouattara, described it as "a new era in friendship and strategic collaboration."

This handover marks a significant shift in France's military footprint in Africa, following recent withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military governments hostile to French influence have taken power. The base, which previously hosted around 1,000 French soldiers, played a crucial role in stabilizing Côte d'Ivoire—the world's leading cocoa producer—during periods of unrest after 2000 and supported regional counter-terrorism efforts.

The French withdrawal will be implemented gradually throughout 2025, with approximately 100 French soldiers remaining to provide training and support missions. This transition reflects a broader reimagining of France's military relationships with its former African colonies, while maintaining strategic partnerships in new forms.

The military cooperation between France and Côte d'Ivoire dates back to 1961, when a military agreement was signed following Ivorian independence. The Port-Bouet base has been instrumental in French military operations in West Africa, particularly in combating jihadist threats in the wider region. The transfer ceremony included a changing of the guard to symbolize the handover of security responsibilities to the Ivorian army.