Ivory Coast Declares French Troops Out of the Country
Since Ivory Coast’s current President Alassane Ouattara assumed power, he has publicly stated that France is to pull out their military personnel stating that his government is charting a new course regarding the security of Ivory Coast and this process corresponds more broadly with the changes in France’s military policies in West Africa.
A Transition in Security
Speaking in his end of year message, President Ouattara noted improvements by the Iovrian defence forces, adding that the move to sever the partnership with French forces in the country is due to the country’s confidence in its growing security strength. “Today, Ivoirians should be proud of their armed modernized forces,” he said adding that French contingent had indeed pulled out in a coordinated and organized manner.
Explaining the Decline of France’s Presence in the Region
This is in consonant with the general trend of France drawing down the number of its military deployments in West and Central Africa. According to sources, France intends to decrease the regional forces from about 2,200 to approximately 600. The withdrawal comes amid resentment of French presence and military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, through which Paris has already evicted its troops.
The recent announcement from Ivory Coast also put into evidence the declining hegemonic control previously dominated by France, which colonial rule ended in sixties.
Regional Implications
With the reduction of French forces local security becomes an issue with a number of insurgencies and militant groups present in the area. In November Chad, one of the most important counterterrorism partners in the West, terminated the defense cooperation partnership with France, which also is a new blow for the French military presence on the African continent.
Strengthening Local Forces
The recent statement that the president Ouattara made regarding Ivory Coast is an indication of its eventual desire to take alternative measures in ensuring its security. It still remains a complete package in preferring local forces than external interferences in African countries as they continue to manage the turbulent security and political situation in the region on their own.
A New Chapter
The latest pull out of French troops from the Ivory Coast is one of the major geo-political changes in West Africa today. It define new dynamics of the state formation process in the area as nations redefine their postcolonial relations and turn to nationalism and autarchy in search for solutions to insecurity threats.