Ivory Coast Takes Charge of Port Bouet as French Troops Leave

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French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said some 80 French servicemen will continue to stay in the country to advise and train the Ivorian military.

Ivory Coast officially took control of Port-Bouët, the last remaining French military base in the country on Thursday. Paris officially handed the camp over in a ceremony that included a changing of the guard to mark the transfer of security responsibilities to the Ivorian army.

France has been present in Ivory Coast for decades, but the handover comes as the majority of its forces leave countries across West Africa. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said some 80 French servicemen will continue to stay in the country to advise and train the Ivorian military.

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bout 1,000 French soldiers were deployed in Port- Bouët and helped in the fight against jihadists, who launched regular attacks across the wider region. The withdrawal will take place gradually throughout 2025, but around 80 French soldiers are expected to remain for training and support missions..