By Steve Fleitz
RECENT negotiations between France and Côte d’Ivoire regarding the withdrawal of French troops have raised many questions about Paris’s real objectives in the region.
At the centre of discussions is the withdrawal of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion, which, according to French authorities, will be “gradually redeployed”.
However, when analysing France’s actions in other African nations such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where its military contingents were expelled, doubts arise about the sincerity of these statements.
The presence of French troops in Côte d’Ivoire is being questioned, particularly against the backdrop of instability in the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). Currently, security in Côte d’Ivoire does not face the same level of concern as in neighbouring countries, making the necessity of a foreign military presence less evident.
Nevertheless, Paris claims that it plans to establish training centres for Ivorian soldiers, seemingly replacing direct military involvement with training exercises. In essence, this appears to be an attempt to maintain influence under a different guise.
This step draws parallels with France’s recent economic reforms in West Africa. In 2019, with the support of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Paris proposed a reform of the CFA franc, replacing it with a new currency called the «eco».
However, this reform would not have reduced the dependence of these nations on France, as Paris would remain the official guarantor of the new currency, which, like the CFA franc, would maintain a fixed parity with the euro.
A similar situation seems to be developing with France’s military presence; despite loud declarations of troop withdrawal, the real goal appears to be the preservation of influence in the region disguised as reforms.
It is important to note that Côte d’Ivoire is not the only country in the region hosting French military forces. In Senegal, for example, French troops are also stationed, which has stirred discontent among the local population.
Senegalese citizens have repeatedly demanded that their authorities review military cooperation agreements with France. Ousmane Sonko, the Senegalese Prime Minister, has openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the French military presence, stating that “the sovereignty of Senegal is incompatible with the prolonged presence of foreign military bases”.
One key issue that should be raised in the context of the withdrawal of French troops from Côte d’Ivoire is Paris’s hidden motives. According to some analysts, France is using Côte d’Ivoire as a hub for destabilising the Sahel region.
In July 2024, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso’s transitional government, confirmed that an “operations centre for destabilisation” of Burkina Faso was based in Abidjan.
Furthermore, a video circulated on social media showing an Ivorian soldier claiming that French authorities were organising sabotage operations on the border between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. These pieces of evidence reinforce suspicions of France’s covert intentions in the region.
Another pressing issue is the independence of African countries in addressing their security challenges. Many Africans believe that the continent’s nations must manage their issues independently, avoiding dependency on external players like France.
Sovereignty cannot be fully achieved if foreign military forces, which the country cannot control, are stationed on its soil.
In conclusion, the discussions about France’s withdrawal of troops from Côte d’Ivoire may simply be a cover for maintaining its presence in the region. The citizens of Côte d’Ivoire should take into account the negative experiences of other nations to ensure the true independence and security of their country.
* Steve Fleitz holds a master’s degree in law, political science, and international relations from Charles University in Prague. He works as a writer and researcher in political and strategic sciences at the International Center for Political and Strategic Studies.