DAKAR, Jul 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – France, yesterday, handed over its last two military facilities in Senegal, to local authorities, marking the end of its permanent military presence in the West African country.
Camp Geille, the largest French military installation in Senegal, located in the capital Dakar, and the French air detachment at Dakar’s international airport, were officially transferred to the Senegalese authorities at a ceremony, attended by Mbaye Cisse, chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, and Pascal Ianni, commander of French forces in Africa.
At the ceremony, Ianni said, the handover of Camp Geille marked the end of France’s permanent military presence in Senegal and the beginning of a new phase in bilateral military cooperation.
For his part, Cisse said that, the Senegalese government is updating its defence and security cooperation framework, with a core focus on supporting the autonomous development of Senegal’s military.
“The future direction of Senegal-France cooperation will depend on the political will of both governments, and must also show greater respect for Senegal’s sovereignty,” he added.
French troops have been present in Senegal since the country gained independence in 1960.
On Dec 31, last year, Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urged French forces to leave the country, while delivering his New Year’s address.
In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Cote d’Ivoire, have urged the withdrawal of French and U.S. troops, and the handover of their military bases.– NNN-XINHUA
