France to Hand Over Base in Abidjan to Ivory Coast in an Amicable Settlement

February 8, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected in Abidjan to attend the ceremony alongside his Ivorian counterpart, Téné Birahima Ouattara

The French military base in Abidjan will officially be handed over to Ivory Coast on February 20 during a ceremony to be attended by the defense ministers of both countries. Importantly, in the Ivory Coast, the departure of French troops is happening amicably.

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected in Abidjan to attend the ceremony alongside his Ivorian counterpart, Téné Birahima Ouattara. Alassane Ouattara, who has been in power in Ivory Coast since 2011, announced the transfer of the 43rd BIMA camp, the marine infantry battalion located in Port-Bouet (a district of Abidjan), on December 31.

Having been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger by hostile juntas, the French military also had to leave Chad shortly after N’Djamena abruptly terminated the military cooperation agreement at the end of November. Senegal is also negotiating the withdrawal of French troops by the end of 2025.

Ivory Coast remains a key ally of France in West Africa. Approximately 1,000 soldiers were stationed at the 43rd BIMA, primarily engaged in combating jihadist threats in the Sahel and northern regions of some Gulf of Guinea countries. However, 80 soldiers will remain at the Port-Bouet camp, which will be renamed Thomas d’Aquin Ouattara.