Senegal to end French presence on its territory in 2025, president says

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks during a press at the Palais de la Republique in Dakar after their meeting, on 22 April 2024 [SEYLLOU/AFP via Getty Images]

Senegal intends to end the presence of French military forces on its soil this year.

France is currently the only foreign military power in Senegal, maintaining a permanent base with approximately 350 soldiers stationed in the country.

In a New Year’s address yesterday, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye stated: “Senegal is an independent nation, and there should be no foreign soldiers in an independent country.”

Faye also announced that he had instructed the minister of armed forces to draft a new policy to ensure the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces by 2025.

Previously, Faye had highlighted the need to close the French military base in Senegal but had not provided a specific timeline.

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