A Weakened France Bids Africa ‘Farewell’

In just a few years, the French army has lost most of its military bases in Africa… But while relations with some former colonies remain rocky, most are hoping for a new, military-less relationship. The retreat, which comes amid increasing budget pressure and political upheaval in Paris, is another sign that France’s influence in Africa, where it first established a colonial presence in the 17th century, has all but slipped away. Since 2022, France has been gradually withdrawing its troops from West Africa, as growing opposition to French military presence in the region, as well as opposition to France’s fight…