France Transfers Military Base to Senegal Amid Shifting Ties
France has officially handed over its military communications base in Rufisque to Senegalese authorities.
According to the French embassy in Dakar, the Rufisque base—used for communications along the southern Atlantic coast since 1960—is the latest in a series of sites returned to Senegal. Previous facilities, including the Marechal and Saint-Exupery military posts, and the Contre-Amiral Protet camp at Dakar’s port, were handed over earlier this year.
A joint Franco-Senegalese commission stated the phased withdrawal of the approximately 350 remaining French troops would be completed by the end of 2025. The embassy confirmed that “the last sites will be returned by the end of July 2025, according to the commonly agreed schedule.”
Political Realignment and Regional Trends
President Faye, who assumed office in April 2024, has emphasized national sovereignty as a cornerstone of his foreign policy. His government’s stance reflects growing regional opposition to French military presence across West Africa. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko previously declared that France lacked the legitimacy and capacity to guarantee Africa’s security.
France’s military influence in the region has rapidly diminished following the expulsion of its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Chad and Côte d’Ivoire have also curtailed French military partnerships, with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announcing the exit of French forces to enable modernization of the national military.