France Cedes Military Base in Ivory Coast, Marking a Milestone in Africa’s Evolving Security Landscape
Retrocession of Port-Bouët Camp
On Thursday, February 20, 2023, France officially handed over the military camp of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion in Port-Bouët, Abidjan, to Ivory Coast. The ceremony, presided over by Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, marks a significant step in the restructuring of France’s military presence in Africa, initiated in 2022.
The retrocession of the Port-Bouët camp, now renamed after Ivory Coast’s first army chief of staff, Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara, began in April 2023. France discreetly withdrew its first troops, and the movement was completed on January 20, with the arrival of a battalion of 90 Ivorian paratroopers in the camp alongside French soldiers. A phased handover was organized to ensure a smooth transition by February 20.
Evolving French Presence in Ivory Coast
While the military withdrawal signals a change, it does not signify a complete rupture in political relations between France and Ivory Coast, as has been seen in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. From approximately 1,000 soldiers at the end of 2023, French troop levels have gradually decreased to 600 in 2024 and currently number between 300 and 400. The lowest threshold, approximately 100 semi-permanent soldiers on rotation, is expected to be reached by summer 2023.
Despite the reduced presence, France will not entirely abandon Ivory Coast. The Port-Bouët base has been "retroceded" rather than withdrawn, allowing the French detachment to continue its activities. France will also maintain a regional information and communication systems school in the base and remain involved in the International Academy for Counter-Terrorism in Jacqueville and the Inter-Regional Institute for Maritime Safety in Abidjan.
Moreover, according to the newsletter Africa Intelligence, France is likely to retain control over its munitions depot and possess the option of deploying air assets (such as refueling and helicopter units) as needed. The French Air Force will not have a permanent presence but may conduct temporary deployments for interoperability exercises with the Ivorian Air Force.
Negotiated Transition and Balanced Partnership
The terms of the French disengagement from Ivory Coast are the result of careful negotiations, as Ivorian authorities initially hesitated to sever their security ties with Paris. President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged this reluctance during a speech at the Conference of Ambassadors in Paris on January 6, stating that some African countries, including Ivory Coast, had initially resisted the reorganization or withdrawal of French forces.
The reduction of the French military presence in Ivory Coast presents both advantages and challenges. For the French armed forces, the port of Abidjan has traditionally served as a key logistical hub for operations on the continent. While the number of permanent troops may be reduced, no military headquarters wants to see this "anchor point" disappear altogether.
For Ivory Coast, the French military presence played a crucial role during the 2002-2011 crisis. However, President Alassane Ouattara, now 83 years old, faces pressure from public opinion to reduce foreign military involvement. Nonetheless, Ouattara recognizes that the French presence provides reassurance to investors and stability for his government.
The evolving security landscape in Africa has compelled France to adapt its military strategy. The retrocession of the Port-Bouët camp is a tangible sign of this shift, as France seeks a more balanced and flexible partnership with its African counterparts. Both parties will carefully navigate the challenges and opportunities of this transition, recognizing that cooperation and dialogue will remain essential in addressing the evolving security threats facing the region.
