"Côte d'Ivoire Cuts Ties: French Troops to Withdraw Amidst Rising Nationalism"
Côte d’Ivoire has officially announced the withdrawal of French troops, a move that signifies a pivotal shift in military relations with France. In a statement made by President Alassane Ouattara, the withdrawal will commence in January 2025, marking an end to decades of French military presence in the country. This decision aligns with a broader trend among West African nations, as Côte d'Ivoire joins others like Mali and Burkina Faso in reducing foreign military influence. Ouattara emphasized that this withdrawal is part of the country's efforts to modernize its military and assert greater sovereignty over its defense operations, reflecting a growing sentiment against neocolonialism in the region.
Key Points for Streaming and Downloading Latest News:
- Withdrawal Announcement: French troops will leave Côte d'Ivoire starting January 2025.
- Modernization Efforts: The move is part of Côte d'Ivoire's strategy to strengthen its own military capabilities.
- Regional Trend: This decision follows similar actions by other West African nations, indicating a shift away from colonial military ties.
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Citations:
[1] https://www.euronews.com/2025/01/02/cote-divoire-announces-withdrawal-of-french-forces
[2] https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2024/12/25/frances-military-is-being-ousted-from-more-african-countries/
[3] https://english.news.cn/20250102/6c908c2ed76049f9b73c52e9654b41ce/c.html
[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/1/ivory-coast-says-french-troops-to-leave-country-after-decades
[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67278027
[6] https://www.africanews.com/2025/01/02/ivory-coast-begins-withdrawal-of-french-troops-in-january-2025/
[7] https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/2/headlines/ivory_coast_to_expel_french_soldiers_following_other_former_french_colonies_in_africa
[8] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y7zz99jlxo
[9] https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250103-french-military-exit-leaves-ivorian-traders-facing-an-uncertain-future
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_military_withdrawal_from_West_Africa_(2022%E2%80%93present)
[11] https://apnews.com/article/ivory-coast-french-troops-3118a507ce4d1232d1982ebe574ba059
[12] https://ecfr.eu/article/why-france-should-close-its-permanent-military-bases-in-africa/
[13] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/world/africa/ivory-coast-france-troop-withdrawal.html
[14] https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250102-france-faces-gradual-decline-of-influence-in-africa
[15] https://www.semafor.com/article/01/02/2025/french-troops-to-withdraw-from-ivory-coast
[16] https://lansinginstitute.org/2025/01/03/french-troop-withdrawals-and-africas-geopolitical-realignment/
[17] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/3/frexit-why-ivory-coast-is-joining-african-campaign-to-expel-french-troops