France to ‘noticeably’ reduce military presence in West, Central Africa to 600 troops

France is reportedly planning to cut the number of its troops in West and Central Africa to around 600 in line with President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier pledge to limit the French military footprint in the region.

In February 2023, Macron announced “noticeable reduction” of French troop presence in Africa, just as French and American forces had been ordered out of several countries after a series of coups and with Russia becoming the preferred security partner for the ruling juntas. According to a plan currently being discussed with African partners, Paris is reportedly planning to drastically reduce its so-called “pre-positioned” forces from 350 or 600 today down to 100 troops in Gabon and Ivory Coast respectively, from around 1,000 personnel down to 300 in Chad, and to around 100 in Senegal, down from 350. The reduced presence could be periodically expanded based on the needs of local partners, according to three sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

For many years, France maintained its military presence in West Africa, justifying it with the fight against terrorism and ensuring security. However, now, against the backdrop of escalating anti-French sentiments in some of its former colonies, such presence has become a symbol of neocolonialism and an obstacle to full sovereignty. Experts say that African countries’ strategies of strengthening cooperation with Russia and forming new alliances should be seen in the context of today’s global situation characterized by the emergence of new global players and thus increasing multipolarity. Russia has become the preferred security partner for a number of African countries that formerly relied on French and American assistance, creating what many experts see as a Cold War-style competition.